Clippers expect Rivers to deliver a title

EVEN DOC RIVERS got weary of the 2-week saga of his move to the Los Angeles Clippers. He thought the unusual deal was dead several times, and he insists he really didn't mind the prospect of returning to the Boston Celtics.

"I felt like I was the only guy in all this that was in a win-win," Rivers said.

The Clippers think they've got plenty of winning in store after landing one of the NBA's most respected veteran coaches.

The Clippers formally introduced Rivers at their training complex yesterday after dealing a first-round pick to the Celtics. Rivers was simply grateful to end his self-described "strange ordeal" ever since the Celtics floated the possibility of moving the NBA's highest-paid coach to a talented team determined to replace Vinny Del Negro with a topflight leader.

"The reason I wanted this when it was made available was because of what we have," said Rivers, who also will be the Clippers' senior vice president of basketball operations. "I clearly think this is an extremely talented basketball team. There were times last year they were the best team. I like the talent we have here."

"We're going for it, let there be no mistake," Clippers president Andy Roeser said. "We're going for it. We want to win, and we think Doc will help us get there."

*  Larry Bird, the former NBA star who left his job last season after rebuilding the Indiana Pacers and winning the league's executive of the year award, will be reintroduced to the media today as the president of basketball operations. That's the same job Bird held from 2003-12.

"The year off gave me a chance to reflect, to rest, to take care of some health issues and it re-charged me," Bird said in a statement issued by the team.

The move is hardly a surprise.

He reportedly met earlier this month with Sacramento about becoming that team's general manager and had become a regular in recent weeks as the Pacers held public draft workouts, making his imminent return one of the worst kept secrets in Indy. Following Tuesday's draft workout, general manager Kevin Pritchard even alluded to the fact that Bird appeared on the verge of making a comeback.

Donnie Walsh, who preceded Bird as the Pacers' top decision-maker then succeeded him last summer as president of basketball operations, will now settle in his new role - as a team consultant. Walsh had said all along that if, or when, Bird wanted to return, he would gladly step aside. He has.

Bird will officially take over July 1.

*  Bryan Colangelo is stepping down as president of the Toronto Raptors, just weeks after taking a reassigned position with the team. The Raptors announced yesterday that Colangelo will remain as a consultant with the team and with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

Colangelo was not extended as GM after Toronto ended its 2012-13 season with a 34-48 record. The Raptors had reached an agreement with Colangelo to keep him on as president, but the 48-year-old said that on further reflection, stepping down was the best course of action.

* The Los Angeles Lakers exercised their contract option on guard Jodie Meeks and extended a qualifying offer to center Robert Sacre. Meeks, the former Sixer, will make $1.55 million next season.

*  Power forward Carl Landry has opted out of the final year of his 2-year, $8 million deal with the Golden State Warriors to become a free agent. Landry's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Landry could still return to the Warriors.

* The Miami Heat has decided to exercise its team option to keep starting point guard Mario Chalmers for the 2013-14 season.