Doc Rivers Denied Using Gay Slur Toward Bill Kennedy, Says They Have a "Great Relationship"
By Kyle Koster
Tim Donaghy’s 2010 accusation that Bill Kennedy and Doc Rivers have a contentious relationship as a result of anti-gay comments made by the then-Boston Celtics coach received renewed attention yesterday in the wake of Rajon Rondo’s suspension. The disgraced Donaghy claimed Kennedy “had no love for Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics,” because of a comment Rivers allegedly made about Kennedy’s sexual orientation.
Rivers yesterday denied any bad blood exists.
"That was not true,” Rivers said. “Sometimes, I hope I have more credibility than where that came from. “Bill and I have a great relationship. But that’s been out there forever, and I would say this: It’s funny that it’s out there and nobody really asked me the question, because they knew. Not saying you shouldn’t ask the question, but it’s amazing nowadays that all you have to do is blog something or write something, and then it takes on its own life.”"
Incidents between Rivers and Kennedy have been well-documented, which may have added to the legitimacy of Donaghy’s claim in some minds. Rivers insists such things are part of the game.
"“I have run-ins with a lot of refs, but it’s over usually pretty much after the game,” Rivers said. “Then, the next game that you lose that they do, then everybody says there’s something going on. You almost have to win every game after that when that ref refs the game. Otherwise, then, at least from a fan perspective, they’re thinking, ‘He’s out to get you.’ I don’t know a ref alive that does that.”"