After the Los Angeles Lakers relieved coach Mike Brown from his coaching duties, there were initial rumors circulating that there would be a return of Phil Jackson to the Lakers bench.

While there were talks and a likely return to duty for Jackson, the Lakers instead chose to hire Mike D'Antoni for the job. The Lakers snub of Jackson enraged and confused many fans, media and NBA personnel.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers publically criticized the organization's handling of Jackson to Chris Russo on a SirusXM radio program, Mad Dog Radio, Tuesday.

"I didn't like the way it was done," said Rivers.  "I don't think you embarrass anybody."

"Whether you like Phil or not, he's won a lot of titles and I think he was owed more than that treatment, in my opinion, especially [from] that franchise,

"I thought they could have handled that better," said Rivers.  "At the end of the day, I think they got their man [in D'Antoni]."

The Lakers play the Celtics twice in February, starting on the 7th in Boston.  Jackson and Rivers met twice in the NBA Finals, both taking home a title.

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