With one of his former players in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, Doc Rivers is hoping to stay out of it.
The Clippers coach denied allegations that he questioned the sexuality of NBA referee Bill Kennedy while coaching the Celtics.
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Disgraced ref Tim Donaghy claimed Rivers made comments about Kennedy’s sexuality in the past. Those comments resurfaced Monday as Kennedy came out as gay after he was the target of slurs from Kings guard Rajon Rondo earlier this month.
"That was not true," Rivers said, via NBC Sports. "Sometimes, I hope I have more credibility than where that came from."
Rondo, of course, played for Rivers with the Celtics when the alleged interaction was supposed to have taken place. As for Rivers' part, he said he and Kennedy have a "great relationship."
"But that’s been out there forever, and I would say this: It’s funny that it’s out there. ... Nobody really asked me the question, because they knew," Rivers added. "Not saying you shouldn’t ask the question, but it’s amazing nowadays that all you have to do is blog something or write something, and then it takes on its own life."