Rivers: Allen-less C's understand roles better

Celtics coach Doc Rivers joined The Big Show on Friday to discuss the upcoming NBA season and where his team stands. 

Though the Celtics lost Ray Allen to the Heat in the offseason, they made additions to the roster with the acquisitions of Jason Terry and Courtney Lee. Rivers said such additions were critical, as things going differently could have put the team in a rebuilding mode rather than remaining contenders.

"I always thought Kevin [Garnett] was coming back," Rivers said. I never thought he would not. I knew Paul [Pierce] was coming back even though he said he would have retired. We know what he's making this year -- he was coming back. We knew we had to get the right pieces. Otherwise, it's difficult to coach veterans when they don't see themselves as contenders. That was really important with Danny and me. If we're going to bring them back, we have to find a way to give them hope. We've exceeded that, in my opinion."

Rivers was asked about how players fit their certain roles now that Allen has departed. 

"I think it's a better fit," he said. "Listen, I made a decision that Ray should come off the bench because I thought it was best for the team, but Ray didn't like that decision. We go out and get Jason Terry, who wants to come off the bench and is very effective."

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