Celtics Coach Denies Racial Issues A Factor In Landing Players

Rivers Says Boston's Racial Climate Not Deterring Players From Wanting To Join Celtics

Celtics coach Doc Rivers “does not believe racial issues are a factor in getting players” to the team, rebutting comments made earlier in the week by Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon, according to Steve Bulpett of the BOSTON HERALD.  Wilbon suggested that the “region’s poor racial climate is to blame ... in the wake of declarations by [T’Wolves F] Kevin Garnett and others that they didn’t want to be traded to Boston.”  Rivers said that the perception “is based on a faulty premise.” Rivers: “I think that’s the old opinion of Boston.  You know, it was in Bill Russell’s book years ago, but that’s changed.”  Celtics Exec Dir of Basketball Operations & GM Danny Ainge said, “The reasons why people want to come to a team are financial, quality of the team, the opportunity they’ll have there and the city.  And of all those, I think the city is not usually the top priority. ... People will look at us differently as we get better” (BOSTON HERALD, 7/13).  In an online chat Monday, Wilbon wrote, “A great, great many of us -- black folks -- have had openly hostile and unpleasant experiences in greater Boston. ... Having said that, I’ve been in greater Boston recently and noticed what I feel is a huge change.”  Wilbon added, “For every [black player embraced by the city] you point out I’ll name you 20 players who’ve turned down free agency money or a trade to Boston teams” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/9).