Celtics coach Doc Rivers is grateful that team executive Danny Ainge was patient with him when the team was struggling just a few seasons ago.

"I had a patient guy in Danny," Rivers said, "who understood what we were trying to do and understood what I had on the floor. I just think it's tough. A lot of these situations you ask a coach to coach a young team and play the young guys and build them. Then when your record is bad, they say we don't like the record. That happens."

A record six NBA coaches have been fired already this season.

"It's amazing," Rivers said. "We were talking (in the locker room) and said it?s like the flu. You know you're going to get it. You just try to keep away from it as long as possible."