Celtics coach has throat surgery
By Sports Network
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  Celtics head coach Doc Rivers directs his team during Game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Heat in Miami, Fla., May 11, 2011. (JOE SKIPPER/Reuters) |
BOSTON - Only days after the franchise rewarded him with a contract extension, Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers underwent throat surgery.
The club revealed through its Twitter account on Tuesday that Rivers had a procedure to remove a benign polyp from his throat, and that he was cancer free.
The Celtics signed Rivers to a five-year extension, reported to be worth $35 million, on Friday but made the announcement official on Monday.
The 49-year-old just completed his seventh season with the Celtics, guiding the club to its fourth consecutive Atlantic Division crown with a 56-26 record. Boston was ousted in the Eastern Conference semifinals in five games by Miami after dispatching New York in a four-game sweep.
A 13-year NBA veteran, Rivers also coached the Orlando Magic for four-plus seasons. He posted a mark of 171-168 with the Magic, leading the club to three playoff appearances in his first four seasons, but was fired after the team started 1-10 during the 2003-04 campaign.
