Phil Jackson inspires Clippers Coach Doc Rivers to join Twitter

Phil Jackson, president of the New York Knicks, inspired Clippers Coach Doc Rivers to join Twitter. That doesn’t mean that Rivers is going to take a Zen approach with his tweets.

Said Rivers on Tuesday: “From this day forward, whoever asks the worst question, I’m blasting them. Is that fair?”

Rivers said that Jackson, an 11-time NBA championship-winning coach, convinced him to get an account.

“A year ago, maybe two years ago, we were in the gym here,” Rivers said. “He came in just to watch us. He said in Phil’s way, ‘You got to get on Twitter. You can frame your own voice.’ I kept saying, ‘I could get in a lot of trouble.’ He said, ‘No you won’t, trust me, you’ll have control.’ I said, ‘You dont know me that well.’”

Rivers said he intends to mostly use Twitter to promote charity. Then another idea dawned on him -- perhaps it could help him avoid the media.

“I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll anticipate your questions, and then I’ll answer them for you,” Rivers said, laughing.

Rivers opened his Twitter account Monday and already had nearly 15,000 followers by Tuesday afternoon.

The Clippers open their season Wednesday in Sacramento against the Kings. Their home opener is the following evening against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center.