The feud between Doc Rivers and Bill Simmons that began on Thursday is not going to quiet down any time soon, thanks in large part to people like us who find it incredibly entertaining. However, Doc’s son Jeremiah has also done his part to help keep the war of words going.
As you have likely seen, Rivers called Simmons an idiot during the NBA Draft telecast after the ESPN analyst accused him of quitting on the Boston Celtics. Rivers insists that Simmons does not know the entire story (which is probably true), but Simmons’ argument is that Rivers needs to just admit he didn’t want to be a part of a rebuilding project instead of playing coy. Jeremiah Rivers disagrees. First came the resume:
@BillSimmons @espn My father has never quit anything in his life. He now has an NBA Championship, and helped in rejuvenating the Celtics.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn That’s why he is 3rd winningest coach in Celtics history. Those are just credentials, but you already know this.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
Then, Jeremiah accused Simmons of being a flip-flopper:
@BillSimmons @espn Your the same guy who was trying to run my dad out of town when it seemed like the Celtics were down and out.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn Then you praised him like GOD himself when he helped turn things around. Where is your loyalty.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
And finally, Jeremiah basically ripped Simmons for being nothing but a talking head who hides behind a desk:
@BillSimmons @espn You know nothing about winning, about sacrifice, and being a champion. You sit behind a desk and pick on people.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn .You are a Internet bully. There is a reason nobody will side with you. They like my dad better than you.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
@BillSimmons @espn If you don’t have all the facts, which you clearly DON’T, I suggest you sit down and shut up. Good day sir.
— Jeremiah Rivers (@JRivers25) June 28, 2013
Simmons, who has never been one to allow someone else to get the last word, responded with a pretty funny tweet of his own.
When I get home I'm signing up my 5 and a half year old son for Twitter so he can defend me against Doc Rivers' kids.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 28, 2013
If you ask me, both Rivers and Simmons have a point. On one hand, you have to take into account that there could be unknown factors in play like Rivers not wanting to deal with Rajon Rondo anymore. On the other, it appears he wanted out of the last three years of his contract because the Celtics weren’t going to win. You can sugarcoat that any way you please, but that is quitting.
At the end of the day, Rivers helped Boston win its 17th championship and will go down as one of the best coaches in team history. Players aren’t the only ones who like championships. The Clippers give Rivers a better chance to capture another.
H/T Ball Don’t Lie
