Move won't alter center's plans

It was hard to gauge Mark Blount's reaction to the news Glenn "Doc" Rivers had been hired as the 16th head coach in Celtics history. Curious. Bemused. Surprised. But it was clear the arrival of Rivers will not dissuade Blount from venturing into free agency.

"In hiring Doc Rivers, at least they hired a good coach," said Blount. "But I'd first like to see what players they recruit from other teams and bring in through free agency. I'm still going to keep my options open and test free agency. That's what [my agent] Mark Bartelstein and I are talking about."

When asked if he would like to hear what Rivers planned for the future, Blount added: "I'd like to see what kind of style he wants to play and has in mind. But hiring Doc doesn't really change a thing at all [as far as my plans]."

Rivers will miss an opportunity to meet with Blount in person. Blount will return to Boston tonight for a fund-raiser. Proceeds go to the Mark Blount Foundation, which benefits students from elementary through high school. The foundation teaches children life skills through various educational programs, including a basketball camp. Rivers will leave this afternoon for San Antonio to broadcast Game 1 of the Spurs-Lakers series.

All ears

Appropriately dressed for summer vacation in shorts, T-shirts, and sweat suits, Raef LaFrentz, Walter McCarty, Jiri Welsch, and Kendrick Perkins listened intently to the Rivers/Danny Ainge press conference yesterday afternoon at the FleetCenter. Afterward, they shared their initial impressions.

"It's a step in the direction we're going," said LaFrentz. "For stability and for Danny's sanity, I think it was a great hire and to get it done this quickly frees Danny to channel his energies elsewhere. I don't know a lot about [Doc]. I just met him before I stepped in here. So, I look forward to talking with him over the next couple months. He's a proven coach. He's been coach of the year in this league and I just look forward to understanding some of his ideas."

McCarty got to know Rivers last summer, during the free agency recruiting period. Orlando was one of the teams that pursued McCarty. And McCarty almost ended up there.

"I think finding the right guy was more important than timing," said McCarty. "And right now, I think Doc is the best guy for the job. We needed to get a guy here who could help turn things around. I know Doc is a great person. We all know he was an outstanding player. He's the perfect guy for the job."

Early diplomacy

When asked about Ricky Davis, Rivers was diplomatic. "Ricky Davis obviously is viewed as a wild card," said Rivers. "I can tell you coaching against him, he played hard every single minute I have seen him play and some of his judgment at times has not been that great. But I will tell you this: If I were in a game, I would rather have a guy that is capable of, on a good night, taking a game over than a guy that is not." . . . Rivers also held forth on a few other topics. On Marcus Banks: "I never saw him in person, but [former Utah coach] Rick Majerus loved him. I talk to Rick all the time, and he told me he thought Marcus was the best defensive player he'd seen in college [in 2002-03]. And Rick doesn't like anybody." On hiring assistants: "I'm going to be very patient with that. I'm going to wait and see what happens." On giving up golf and a cushy television job: "I'm too young to be doing that. I love golf, but all the guys I was playing with were 60. They were all retired." . . . Paul Pierce was not present at the press conference, but the team released a statement on his behalf. "I have always liked and respected Doc," said Pierce. "He's going to bring a brand of basketball to Boston that fits us real well." Red Auerbach also released a statement of support through the team. "He has control," said Auerbach. "He's knowledgeable. He's a good motivator. And he's always right in the ballgame, at all times." . . . "I think the building blocks may be starting to fall in place," said owner Wyc Grousbeck. "And we have a core of players who can clearly play the game. I'm very optimistic about the future."