LOS ANGELES — Doc Rivers often thinks about his father, a former Chicago police lieutenant who taught him life lessons the Celtics coach relies on to guide his team.
Grady Rivers preached patience, consistency and hard work. He juggled his schedule so he could watch his son’s games. He coached his kid’s baseball team and proudly watched Doc become a college star, NBA player and grow into a respected family man.
In November, Grady Rivers died following a brief illness.
Doc Rivers, once criticized for his coaching style, is now within grasp of a lifelong dream, one he shared with his dad. He’s one win away from winning an NBA title that eluded him during a 13-year playing career. He’s on the verge of bringing another championship to Boston.
Rivers will go for it Sunday — Father’s Day.
With his team holding a commanding 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers Finals following a historic comeback in Game 4 Thursday, Rivers, whose team won only 24 games a year ago, was asked to reflect on his father’s influence.
“I … can’t,” Rivers said, choking back tears. He sat quietly for more than 30 seconds, unable to speak about his dad as a respectful silence fell over the Lakers’ practice facility.
“That’s just a tough one for me to talk about,” he said, fighting emotion.
A reporter offered a lighter question about whether he might coach Sunday’s game with a cigar in his jacket pocket, a la legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach.
“No,” Rivers said, laughing and thankful for a break. “I will not. Red is always on our mind, obviously, but I won’t do that. As far as we are concerned, we have to win a game, and the next game is our focus.”
Composed, Rivers returned to thoughts about his late father.
“He’s just very important in my life,” he said. “It’s still very difficult for me to talk about because I haven’t had a lot of time to reflect on it. It happened during the season, unexpectedly. It’s very, very difficult. But I do think about it. I think about it a lot.”
The Celtics can win their 17th title with a win in Game 5. They got here by overcoming a 24-point deficit in the first half Thursday.
The Celtics were 1-0 and in Toronto when Rivers learned that his father had passed away. He left the club to attend the funeral in Illinois. Following his heart-tugging news conference, Rivers, a father of four, was asked if he dedicated this memorable a season to his father.
“I dedicated my life,” he said. “Everything I’m about is from my mom and dad. That can never go away.” And if the Celtics don’t win Sunday, they’ll go home with two chances to wrap up the title. Game 6 is scheduled for Tuesday in Boston.
A win would be followed by a parade. Maybe as early as June 18.
Grady Rivers’ birthday.
