While the Nets were formulating their plan last July to reload for another Finals run, Jim O'Brien was flying across the country desperately trying just to keep his Celtics roster intact.
The Boston coach flew to Phoenix to persuade his free-agent forward Rodney Rogers to stay in green and white. O'Brien's stiffest competition was not other suiters, but rather penny-pinching Boston ownership intent on dodging the dreaded luxury tax.

"He was very helpless," Rogers recalled of O'Brien. "He was to the point where he was like, 'I don't understand why you are tearing (this up). ... I got the players that I need to do what I want to do.' At one time, I think he was thinking about not even coaching this year because it was like he was going backward."

"He was trying to do everything he could (saying), 'I just want you to know I can't do nothing. My hands are tied.'"