Doc Rivers is welcoming a familiar face back to his practice sessions.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported Saturday that former Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau was in attendance at the LA Clippers’ facility for shootaround.
Thibodeau, who has not coached since he was fired last January by the Minnesota Timberwolves, served as an assistant and defensive coordinator under Rivers on the Boston Celtics, including during their 2008 title run.
The 61-year-old Thibodeau had raved about the defensive potential of the current Clippers team, but they rank just 13th in defensive efficiency this season (per ESPN). While Thibodeau is not employed in any official capacity with the Clippers, Rivers recently brought back another of his ex-assistants-turned-head coaches in Tyronn Lue, so there is no shortage of familiarity.
