Boston Celtics Deny Brooklyn Nets Permission to Speak With Doc Rivers

May 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers watches from the sideline as they take on the New York Knicks in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The New York Knicks defeated the Celtics 88-80. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

The Brooklyn Nets kicked off their offseason by parting ways with interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo. After making that decision, the team has made no secret of the fact that they are looking to add a big name head coach to fill their current void. One of the names that popped up early in the search was Boston Celtics leading man Doc Rivers.

Not long after being informed Phil Jackson wouldn’t be considering their offer, the Nets had some interest in Rivers. Unfortunately, the Celtics won’t be allowing Brooklyn to interview their coach.

Per Jackie MacMullan of ESPN Boston:

"Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge denied the Brooklyn Nets permission to speak to Doc Rivers about their vacant coaching position, team and league sources confirmed to ESPNBoston.com.Reached late Thursday, Ainge refused to comment on the Nets’ interest in Rivers and reiterated that he expects him back on the Celtics’ bench next season.“Doc has told me he’s coming back,” Ainge said bluntly. “I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward.”"

There was never a legitimate chance that the Nets would be able to land Rivers, considering the amount of money and number of years left on his contract, but at least they gave it a crack.

With Jackson and Rivers off of the list, Brooklyn’s attention will be focused on adding a coach like Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw, former Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles and long-time NBA coach Larry Brown.

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