Doc Rivers, head coach of the 2007-2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics, will soon ink a 3 year contract extension ensuring his place on the C's bench through 2011.

Admittedly, Doc proved me (and a whole slew of others) wrong, taking the Celtics to their 17th title this past year.  We wanted his head before the season, thought he'd be the weakest link in our quest, and cringed all season long -- most notably when we learned his Finals "matchup" would be with the Lakers' Phil Jackson.  By the end of that series, Doc looked like the genius and we were left with our mouths agape with amazement as Rivers' gameplan topped Jackson's.

Needless to say, Doc earned it.  I have no clue how much he's going to be making (Yahoo! is reporting $5.5m and up), but you'd be foolish to want to see him leave.  We have another 2-3 good years, if we can keep our core together, where we can push for a title.  If our Big 3 is going to be on the floor, I want our gravely-voiced coach barking out the plays.  They just seem to fit so damn well together.

That doesn't mean Doc's going to be free from criticism and second-guessing.  Oh, no.  I'll reign down the court-side commentary all season long (and I can't wait for that season to begin).  But, I guess that's the relationship we have with Doc.

I read something yesterday (which, for the life of me, I can't remember), which was about the Patriots and how the NFL needed them to be good, because they had become the "Bad Guy" in the league.  They were what kept everything interesting, and gave teams (and fans) a target. 

I guess that's pretty much the same role Doc plays on this C's team (besides the whole head coaching gig).  He keeps the team interesting, keeps the fans talking, and never leaves you without some sort of fodder for the water cooler the next morning.  For giving me something to write about all season long, I'm glad he's sticking around.