As coach of the Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers led his team to the 2008 championship in what became the greatest comeback in the history of the NBA Finals. This is the story of how he convinced some of the biggest superstars in the history of the league to put their own personal goals aside and become a team of such resilient characters that they were able to overcome the odds.
And here's a list of our favourite sporting comebacks of all time:
The 8 Greatest Sporting Comebacks Of All Time
Liverpool FC - Champions League 2005(01 of08)
Having barely made it through the knockout stage, the Reds faced a fierce AC Milan side who left them three goals down at half time in the final.
Seemingly down for the count, a resilient Liverpool knocked in three goals in six minutes, putting them level with Milan.
They held on through extra time and beat their foes on penalties to lift the cup. (credit:Phil Noble/PA Wire)
Seemingly down for the count, a resilient Liverpool knocked in three goals in six minutes, putting them level with Milan.
They held on through extra time and beat their foes on penalties to lift the cup. (credit:Phil Noble/PA Wire)
Hermit - Epsom Derby 1867(02 of08)
On 22 May 1867, Hermit was a 1,000 to 15 bet to win the Epsom Derby.
The stallion was nursing a broken blood vessel and shouldn't have been racing, but a rivalry between his owner Henry Chaplin, and the Marquis of Hastings - who would lose £120,000 if Hermit won - meant he was entered anyway.
But Hermit stormed from the back to beat 10-1 chance Marksman to the finishing post by a neck.
It's said the Marquis of Hasting went a ghastly shade of white. (credit:Topham/Topham Picturepoint)
The stallion was nursing a broken blood vessel and shouldn't have been racing, but a rivalry between his owner Henry Chaplin, and the Marquis of Hastings - who would lose £120,000 if Hermit won - meant he was entered anyway.
But Hermit stormed from the back to beat 10-1 chance Marksman to the finishing post by a neck.
It's said the Marquis of Hasting went a ghastly shade of white. (credit:Topham/Topham Picturepoint)
Goran Ivanisevic - Wimbledon 2001(03 of08)
This Croatian tennis player was in the twilight of his career and ranked 125th when the organisers of Wimbledon decided to put him in as a wildcard.
Aged 29 and battling shoulder injuries, it seemed he would have no chance against the likes of Sampras, Agassi, Federer, Hewitt, Rafter and Roddick.
He began the competition with low confidence, having bottled it at Wimbledon three times before. But Ivanisevic battled his way to a 5-set final against Pat Rafter which lasted more than three hours.
Ivanisevic beat Rafter to finally win his dream title and top off a turbulent career. (credit:Bongarts via Getty Images)
Aged 29 and battling shoulder injuries, it seemed he would have no chance against the likes of Sampras, Agassi, Federer, Hewitt, Rafter and Roddick.
He began the competition with low confidence, having bottled it at Wimbledon three times before. But Ivanisevic battled his way to a 5-set final against Pat Rafter which lasted more than three hours.
Ivanisevic beat Rafter to finally win his dream title and top off a turbulent career. (credit:Bongarts via Getty Images)
Doc Rivers - NBA Finals 2008(04 of08)
Doc Rivers was picked up from Orlando Magic after winning the Coach of the Year award in 2000, but being fired in disgrace in 2003 after a poor start to the season.
He started his tenure with the Boston Celtics in 2004 to substantial criticism. The Celtics lost in the first round during his first season, then failed to make the playoffs for two years.
With a struggling team Rivers overcame the odds and silenced his critics by getting to the 2008 NBA Finals and securing the Championship. (credit:Brian Babineau via Getty Images)
He started his tenure with the Boston Celtics in 2004 to substantial criticism. The Celtics lost in the first round during his first season, then failed to make the playoffs for two years.
With a struggling team Rivers overcame the odds and silenced his critics by getting to the 2008 NBA Finals and securing the Championship. (credit:Brian Babineau via Getty Images)
Lasse Viren - 1972 Olympics(05 of08)
Finnish runner Lasse Viren went to his first Olympics as an unlikely contender for the 10,000m.
Halfway through the race, Viren and reigning champion Mohamed Gammoudi fell over and were overtaken. Viren's hopes of any medal seemed lost.
But two laps later, Gammoudi dropped out and Viren had already made it to the front of the pack. He went on to set a world record 27:38:40 and win the gold.
He also took the medal for the 5000m just days later, but his achievements have since been tarnished by doping allegations. (credit:Jorma Pouta/STT-Lehtikuva)
Halfway through the race, Viren and reigning champion Mohamed Gammoudi fell over and were overtaken. Viren's hopes of any medal seemed lost.
But two laps later, Gammoudi dropped out and Viren had already made it to the front of the pack. He went on to set a world record 27:38:40 and win the gold.
He also took the medal for the 5000m just days later, but his achievements have since been tarnished by doping allegations. (credit:Jorma Pouta/STT-Lehtikuva)
Paul Lawrie - British Open 1999(06 of08)
Often lauded as the greatest PGA comeback ever, Lawrie's British Open win saw his opponent Van de Velde do the unthinkable and triple-bogey the 18th hole.
The Dutchman's flop allowed Lawrie to lift the Claret Jug, despite going into the final hole 10 strokes down. (credit:PATRICK HERTZOG via Getty Images)
The Dutchman's flop allowed Lawrie to lift the Claret Jug, despite going into the final hole 10 strokes down. (credit:PATRICK HERTZOG via Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills - 1993(07 of08)
Known as the biggest comeback in NFL history, the Bills were down 35-3 in the second half.
But thanks to a lot of determination and four touchdown throws from quarterback Frank Reich, they picked up 38 points and stormed to a 41-38 victory. (credit:Rick Stewart via Getty Images)
But thanks to a lot of determination and four touchdown throws from quarterback Frank Reich, they picked up 38 points and stormed to a 41-38 victory. (credit:Rick Stewart via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan - 1995(08 of08)
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan left the NBA in 1993 to play baseball, but was welcomed back to the court a year later.
In true Jordan fashion, he announced his return with a two word press release, which simply said: "I'm back."
He went on to help the Chicago Bulls to the first of three consecutive NBA titles in 1995. (credit:Andy Hayt via Getty Images)
In true Jordan fashion, he announced his return with a two word press release, which simply said: "I'm back."
He went on to help the Chicago Bulls to the first of three consecutive NBA titles in 1995. (credit:Andy Hayt via Getty Images)