“Honestly, I think that’s a hard job for an NBA coach.  First of all, hopefully you’re playing in June, and college coaches are done in March. They have a lot more time to prepare.  The biggest difference for a college coach is that the seven players that they don’t [start] can never get back at them. If I did become the coach, the seven guys I didn’t play, I would just have to prepare when we play them in the regular season — they are going to try to score 50 on me. You’ve just got to endure that.  - Doc Rivers

Oct 15, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center. The Sixers defeated the Celtics 107-75. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Doc Rivers was a leading candidate for the team USA coaching job being vacated by Mike Kryzewski.  Now, it seems he doesn’t want the gig.  Rivers may be being reasonable, but it seems he’s turning down a huge opportunity and chance to further his resume as an all-time great coach.

That kind of notoriety doesn’t seem to appeal to Rivers, perhaps because he feels he’ll get the respect either way; or maybe because his success is self-affirmed.  Surely, it can’t be a matter of just not wanting teams to blow up against him because he didn’t play their best player in the Olympic games.

Does it make sense that they would seek to get revenge against him?  Sure, but to make the decision revolve around that doesn’t make as much sense.

Rivers would be great for the job because players respect and like him.  His coaching style would also fit the international game well, and I believe he would be one of the better at adapting to the different competition and rules.  But for now, Doc doesn’t seem interested.