Doc Rivers understands fans, because, well, he is one.

"The Chicago Bears, man. That's my team," he said Monday afternoon over lunch with some members of the news media.

And when the Orlando Magic coach says the Bears are his team, he really means it. Rivers chats on the phone with Bears coach Dick Jauron, corresponds with him, and still finds himself yelling at the TV screen when he watches games.

"Though I don't find myself doing as much yelling now that I'm a coach," he said. "It gives you a different perspective."

Yes, it does.

Rivers sees both sides. He knows Magic fans are frustrated, which gets reflected more and more in the form of empty seats. And he knows that one more season of not getting beyond the first round of the playoffs probably is not going to cut it anymore. Not with fans, nor likely with upper management. But he also sees things from a coach's perspective.

"Bottom line, I want to get past the first round, too," he said. "But I don't buy into the fact that if you don't, then the coach should get fired. But that's not my decision to make."