Doc Rivers is known as one of the NBA's favorite coaches amongst players of other teams. He is one of the NBA's most affable and engaging personalities.

But he is now easy to play for, according to several former and current Celtics. Rivers is hard on rookies and has no filter in assessing a player's abilities.

“I have never understood exactly what a ‘player’s coach’ is,’’ Rivers said. “I think everybody is a ‘player’s coach’ if you are doing well and the players are happy.

“I think there’s so many approaches to the way you do your job, and grandstanding is not one of them for me. If showing that you’re not a player’s coach by yelling in front of fans is what you’ve go to do to convince people that you’re not, then I’m not the right guy for that job.

“I have always believed you’ve got to take your stand all the time, and the key for you as a coach is to get the guys to play to the best of their abilities. That’s what I want to be. But there’s times where that’s difficult. You try everything.’’