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Where does Doc Rivers rank among his fellow head coaches

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 07: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 07: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 03: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers argues with referee Mike Callahan #24 in the second half of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on April 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 03: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers argues with referee Mike Callahan #24 in the second half of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on April 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

8) DOC RIVERS

The pioneer of The Heart and Hustle Magic, Doc Rivers gathered prominence following his Championship triumph with the Boston Celtics. The mastermind behind the Celtics’ prosperous era, his attempt on recreating identical success with the Clippers broke down. Contrary to the popular belief around the league, the expectations he’d surpassed in the prior season with a fairly powerless team resulted in a contract extension. Along with the Goon Squad, he’d accumulated a record of 42 wins and nearly carried the franchise into the knockout phases. Should the Clippers remain durable in the approaching season, they could emerge as a fringe playoff contender in the stacked Western Conference.

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7) ERIK SPOELSTRA

Having studied the art alongside a Top 10 Coach in NBA History inductee in Pat Riley, the two-time champion has earned accolades for his consistent displays. A coach to Hall Of Fame prospects in the past, he’d played a major role in ceasing the dominance of franchises such as the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. Currently, akin to Doc Rivers he had surpassed projections while posing a weaker roster to his counterparts. Further, he’d shouldered the responsibility of dropping franchise centerpiece, Hassan Whiteside by effectively mentoring highly touted defensive prospect, Bam Adebayo. Compensating for the team’s shortcomings on the offensive end, he’d generated an effective defensive system to lead the franchise into the playoffs and will aspire to field similar results in the forthcoming season.

6) MIKE D’ANTONI

The architect of the present-day approach of spacing the floor has been well-renowned as a culture-shifter within the league. Being a two-time Coach Of the Year, his success ranges back to his days as a dominant point guard. Termed as a superstar in Italy, he had received several accolades with his most meritorious one being inducted into the 50 Greatest Contributors in Euroleague history. Equally prominent as a head coach, D’Antoni was on the cusp of spearheading the Rockets to a title challenge. However, yet another injury woe in the playoffs to Chris Paul saw the team surrender the Conference Title to the Golden State Warriors. With the Rockets having vastly remodeled their roster, he could tweak the system while striving to contend for the championship. Should he find success yet again, he will cement himself as one the greatest minds  of this generation.

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