Doc Rivers Dismissed by 76ers Following 3 Seasons and 3 Second-Round Eliminations from Postseason

Doc Rivers’ tendency to come up short in the playoffs and exit in the second round ultimately led to his dismissal as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.

On Tuesday, the 76ers terminated Rivers after their third consecutive elimination in the second round of the playoffs, during which he lost a series lead and a Game 7 for the second time in that time frame.

Despite NBA MVP Joel Embiid’s efforts, Rivers was not able to guide the 76ers past their second consecutive 50-win season or into the Eastern Conference Finals, which they have not reached since 2001. The Sixers’ NBA championship drought dates back to 1983.

“We appreciate his contributions during the three seasons he was with us and acknowledge the significant impact he had on our team,” expressed Daryl Morey, the president of the team, in a statement. “Upon reflecting on the past season, we have come to the conclusion that specific changes are essential to achieve our objective of competing for a championship.”

Morey was slated to discuss the verdict during a press conference on Wednesday.

The Philadelphia 76ers were ahead in the semifinal series against Boston Celtics with a 3-2 lead, but they lost Game 6 on their home court and suffered a crushing defeat in Game 7 on the road.

Rivers’ record in Game 7s stands at 6 wins and 10 losses, which unfortunately is the highest number of losses for any NBA coach.

You can also see Paris 2024 Olympics: The Most Sustainable Olympics Yet

In a significant turn of events, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Rivers-led team lost a crucial Game 7 at home during the second round against Atlanta in 2021, with the former being the top seed. While Embid expressed his approval for Rivers’ return, James Harden wasn’t definitive about supporting their incumbent coach, following their defeat last Sunday. The information elaborates on the recent loss and conflicting opinions of two team members regarding the coach’s continuation.

With three years under his belt as coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, Rivers still had two years remaining on his contract. His impressive record of 154-82 showcases his skill and experience in the field. Furthermore, he has had victory before, leading the Boston Celtics to victory in the 2008 NBA championship.

When questioned about his future following the team’s 112-88 defeat in Boston, Rivers confidently stated that he foresees himself having two years left in his career. He, however, acknowledged the uncertainty and volatility of the industry and that no one is safe from changes or dismissals.

During the current postseason, another prominent coach has been let go, and the Philadelphia 76ers will likely have a wide selection of top-level successors. Among the talented coaches available for hire are Nick Nurse from Toronto, Mike Budenholzer from Milwaukee, who have both won championships since 2019, and Monty Williams, a former Sixers assistant coach who recently led the Phoenix team in the 2021 NBA Finals.

Doc Rivers assumed the position of head coach at the start of the 2020-21 season, following the dismissal of Brett Brown, who was let go after the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a first-round playoff sweep.

Only a short time after his team lost the Western Conference semifinals to the Denver Nuggets and squandered a 3-1 series lead, Rivers was terminated from his position as the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

In anticipation of coaching a team that seemed poised to win a championship title, he found himself disappointedly on the bench for one of the team’s worst losses in history. The loss occurred in Game 7, against Atlanta and was a turning point for the franchise. This defeat followed former player, Ben Simmons’ failure to complete an easy dunk and resulted in the end of his All-Star tenure with the team. The relationship between Simmons and the 76ers coaches, including Rivers and Embiid, soured after they neglected to publicly support him following the loss. Simmons never played for the 76ers again.

You can also see Aaron Judge Provides Insight Into His Prolonged Look into Yankees’ Dugout During Two-Homer Game Against Blue Jays

One year after trading Simmons, the team acquired Harden with the expectation that he would be the key to obtaining a championship for Embiid or at least making it to the conference finals.

When questioned regarding his bond with Rivers after the loss in Game 7 in Boston, James Harden responded by stating that their relationship was satisfactory. However, he refrained from responding to the inquiry about whether he would like his coach to return for a fourth season.

“It is irrelevant now,”

“I had confidence in our team selection. I genuinely believed we had chosen the appropriate group,” expressed Rivers.

An interesting possibility to consider for the new coach of the 76ers is Mike D’Antoni, former coach of the Rockets. During his four years coaching Harden in Houston, they both performed well under Morey’s leadership. Additionally, Morey has been a vocal supporter of Harden and played a key role in bringing him to the 76ers. With Rivers no longer in the picture, there is potential for a reunion between D’Antoni and Harden.

Harden has been plagued by constant left Achilles discomfort over the past few months, but he still has a player option worth $35.6 million. It is unclear what his plans are for the upcoming summer. However, if D’Antoni returns as head coach or another coach skilled at maximizing the synergy between Harden and Embiid is hired, it might persuade him to remain with the team. While other teams can only offer a maximum of $202 million over four years, the 76ers can pay Harden up to $210 million over the same period. This is a considerable incentive for The Beard to stay with the team.

Since the 1999-2000 season, Rivers has been coaching in the NBA for several teams, including the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers. His career record stands at 1,097-763.

Doc Rivers

Doc Rivers is a former professional basketball player and a highly regarded NBA coach. He played in the NBA from 1983 to 1996 for teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs. After retiring as a player, Rivers transitioned to coaching and has had a successful career in that field.

Rivers has served as the head coach for several NBA teams, including the Orlando Magic (1999-2003), Boston Celtics (2004-2013), Los Angeles Clippers (2013-2020), and Philadelphia 76ers (2020-present, as of my last knowledge update in September 2021). He is known for his leadership skills, ability to connect with players, and strategic coaching style.

Throughout his coaching career, Rivers has achieved significant accomplishments. Notably, he led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008, with a roster that included star players like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. Rivers has also been named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2000 during his tenure with the Orlando Magic.

It’s worth noting that my information might not be up to date, so I encourage you to verify the latest news and developments about Doc Rivers through reliable sources.