PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — Doc Rivers wore a dark gray polo shirt and black pants because, he said, all his suits were still back in Boston, where he had planned to be, too.
In fact, Rivers said he went so far as to pull himself out of the negotiations between the Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers dragged on for about two weeks.
“I called Danny [Ainge] and said, ‘Listen, I’m staying. I’m coming back. I’m coaching. That’s what I am. And let’s move forward,’ ” Rivers said here Wednesday, when the Clippers introduced him as head coach and vice president of basketball operations.
Then, two hours later, Ainge, the Celtics president of basketball operations called.
“No, you’re not staying,” Ainge said, according to Rivers. “You’re going.” Full story for BostonGlobe.com subscribers.
Baxter Holmes can be reached at baxter.holmes@globe.com Follow him on Twitter @BaxterHolmes.
