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The natural inclination is to assume the Celtics will be looking for another defensive specialist, but with little drop-off on defense after Thibodeau's departure, Boston shouldn't limit itself while gauging available candidates. As Rivers often noted, while Frank's focus might have been on defense, that didn't mean he wasn't exempt from offering input on the offensive end.
Names that seem logical to pop up would include Mike Woodson, the other finalist in the Detroit search. Woodson, the former Atlanta head coach, visited the Celtics' practice facility last season. He's from the Larry Brown coaching tree and it's no secret how close Rivers and Brown are. (In fact, maybe Rivers would ring up his old pal just to float it past him; remember that Brown nearly signed on to be Boston's top assistant before the 2007 season).
Rivers could also look in-house. Armond Hill will enter his eighth year on the Boston bench next season, while Kevin Eastman joined Boston the same year in 2004 (but spent the 2005-06 season away from the team). They might not be the glitziest candidates, but they are loyal assistants that have been integral parts of Boston's success during the Big Three era.
With Lawrence Frank going to Detroit, Celtics may stay internal for 1st assistant job, per league source. Roy Rogers among possibilties.
Will the Celtics defense suffer w/o Frank? It's doubtful. They lost Thibs and managed to still lead the league in points allowed.
If the defense slips, it will be more about age and health of the personnel than coaching.
The rest of the links:
Globe – Celtics lose Frank to Pistons | Japan Times: Cs eyeing Robert Swift? | CSNNE – Pierce on HGTV | ESPN Boston – Good in Green? Joel Pryzbilla | ESPN – Turkish club contacts Kobe | LeBron not interested in playing overseas |
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