Terry: Doc 'is the Bill Belichick of basketball'

WALTHAM -- Jason Terry has been in Boston for a short time but he's seen enough of Doc Rivers and Bill Belichick to know there's a common thread. After practice Tuesday, Terry said that he sees a lot of Belichick's discipline in Rivers' coaching technique every day. 

"He's the Bill Belichick of basketball because of his execution of what he draws up in the timeouts, in practice," Terry said. "We go over it time and time again. And there's a big emphasis on doing things the right way, whether it's defensively doing our coverages or offensively, the little things. Setting screens, making sure you make the proper cut, just being focused on every single possession is so critical, like it is in football. That's why I say he is the Bill Belichick of basketball."

Terry, in his first season in Boston, knows that Rivers has been in Boston since 2004, and has been exposed to Belichick's coaching principles. 

"He might have been stealing things from Belichick this whole time he's been in Boston because everything he does is all about execution and winning every possession, not just the game but every possession. I think that's very critical to our success and it's a big emphasis."

Belichick is the longest tenured head coach in Boston sports, now in his 13th season coaching the Patriots. Rivers is second on the list, now in his seventh season with the Celtics. Terry was at the Patriots game Monday night, along with Rajon Rondo and Rivers. 

"I was at the game," Terry said. "That was a phenomenal game and the Patriots are playing tough. They're one of my favorite teams and we wish them all the best going forward."

For more, visit the Celtics team page at weei.com/celtics [1].