Doc Rivers Calls Out Media For 'Silly' Rumors
BOSTON (CBS) - As the NBA All Star break approaches, so does the trade deadline.
February 21st is just around the corner, meaning players can expect to have their names included in plenty of rumors -- either real or fake ones.
Over the weekend, it was reported the Los Angeles Clippers had spoken with the Celtics about a potential deal for Kevin Garnett. It's rumors like that, which ESPN shot down shortly after it came out, that is getting Doc Rivers somewhat irritated.
Rivers said it's getting pretty silly how fast rumors, real of fake, can catch fire.
"[The rumors are] all from you guys," Rivers said of the media surrounding him at the Celtics practice facilities on Wednesday. "None from us. Really. I would like to say that. Sometimes I like you guys. Some of the stuff that happens is just silly. It really is. When I wake up in the morning and I hear a trade rumor that I haven't heard in my office, that's silly, and that's what happens."
"I heard one report -- I honestly did -- that me, Chancey [Billups], Kevin and Paul [Pierce] had dinner, and I was like, 'I wish I would have known about it.' That would have been terrific, because I would have made them pay and I could have had a free dinner."
Rivers said 99-percent of the time, he does not discuss rumors with his players because they are so ridiculous.
"They've been through the drill, they know how it is," said Rivers. "What's changed in my time is it used to be factual. Now someone can say something, they can create the news, and report on what they created."
"It's just silly what goes on. And I don't think it's honestly [the Boston media]," he added. "I think someone can sit behind a computer and write something. The problem is now you guys have to actually report it, which you shouldn't do. But you do, and it becomes an issue."
Read: Garnett On Rumors: "I Bleed Green, I Die Green"
Rivers has a good relationship with Danny Ainge, and would know if the team is working on something. But since he an Ainge have only talked about the Super Bowl in the last few days, there is nothing imminent in the trade department.
"The fact that Danny and I have only talked about how [Colin] Kaepernick should have run a couple of times in the fourth quarter tells me where we're at right now," he joked.
