Jacque Vaughn performed for Doc Rivers as some extent guard on the 2002-03 Orlando Magic. On Saturday, Vaughn and Rivers will compete towards one another as head coaches because the Nets and 76ers kick off their first-round playoff collection in Philadelphia.
Vaughn referred to as it a “luxurious” to play and study beneath Rivers and stated he’s identified the Sixers’ coach for a very long time.
“Large quantity of respect and what number of video games he’s coached and the best way he’s accomplished it; gained at a excessive stage and been in a position to do it with completely different teams,” the Nets’ coach stated after Tuesday’s observe. “Exhibits you ways good he's. I believe total, he has a command of his group.”
Vaughn stated he discovered from Rivers easy methods to coach superstars, which got here in hand when he assumed the top teaching submit after Steve Nash’s dismissal seven video games into the season. He was thrust into a task that required main two NBA superstars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The experiment solely lasted till days earlier than the commerce deadline, when Irving requested a commerce, however the outcomes have been fruitful.
After a 2-5 begin to the season, Vaughn’s Nets amassed a 31-20 document earlier than Irving’s ultimate sport in Brooklyn.
The roots, nevertheless, have been laid in Orlando on a Magic group coached by Rivers however headlined by Tracy McGrady, a famous person who averaged 32.7 factors per sport on the season. The Nets coach appeared in 80 video games and averaged six factors, three assists and a steal beneath Rivers and alongside McGrady that yr.
“[Doc] is aware of easy methods to talk with guys,” Vaughn stated. “So I discovered that — at the moment — Tracy McGrady was the star on our group. How do you speak to your stars in your group? How do you retain them accountable? However how do you like and proceed to push the remainder of the group. So I discovered so much from him.”
Vaughn, nevertheless, urged that could be the extent of his relationship with Rivers.
“I didn’t say I do know him that properly,” he stated shortly after. “I stated I had an amazing quantity of respect for him. I do know him as a coach, however I don’t suppose we’re each going to get Philly cheese steaks once we’re happening there. That’s for certain.”
Requested if he thought Rivers’ son-in-law Seth Curry — who was traded to Brooklyn within the deal for James Harden — would get cheesesteaks with Rivers, Vaughn sidestepped the query.
“Unsure about that,” he stated. “That’s a household factor, now. I don’t contact household now! I don’t mess with household!”
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