76ers reportedly fire head coach Doc Rivers after Game 7 loss to Celtics

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/76ers-reportedly-fire-head-coach-doc-rivers-after-game-7-loss-to-celtics-151752767.html

Jason Owens·Staff writer

Tue, May 16, 2023 at 11:17 AM EDT

The Philadelphia 76ers have fired head coach Doc Rivers, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 76ers made the decision following Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The loss eliminated Philadelphia from the postseason after it had held a 3-2 series lead.

Boston outscored Philadelphia 57-36 in the second half as the 76ers tied an NBA shot-clock era record for fewest points in a postseason quarter with a 10-point third. The 76ers previously lost Game 6 at home after getting outscored 24-13 in the fourth quarter.

Rivers coached the 76ers for three seasons. Philadelphia was eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals in each of his three seasons overseeing a roster led by league MVP and five-time All-NBA center Joel Embiid. Sunday marked the 76ers' second Game 7 loss in three seasons under Rivers. They also lost to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 in the 2021 conference semifinals as the No. 1 seed in the East.

Rivers, 61, has spent 24 seasons as an NBA head coach for the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and 76ers. He was named Coach of the Year in 2000 with the Magic. He coached the Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008 and led them to the NBA Finals again in 2010. He last coached a team to the conference finals in 2012 with Boston, which lost there to the eventual champion Miami Heat.

The Clippers failed to reach the Western Conference finals in Rivers' seven years as head coach of a team that featured Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan for much of his tenure. Rivers fell to 6-10 in Game 7s with Sunday's loss, five more Game 7 losses than any other coach in NBA history. His teams have now lost five consecutive Game 7s.

Rivers is the third coach to be fired this postseason following a disappointing playoff run. The Milwaukee Bucks fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after a first-round exit to the Heat as the No. 1 seed in the East. The Bucks won the NBA championship under Budenholzer in 2021 but failed to reach the NBA Finals in his other four seasons coaching a roster led by two-time MVP and seven-time All-NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Phoenix Suns fired head coach Monty Williams after their second-round loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Suns reached the NBA finals once in four seasons under Williams, who was named NBA Coach of the Year after the 2021-22 season. They fell short of the conference finals this year after a midseason trade to acquire Kevin Durant. The decision was made under first-year owner Mat Ishbia.

Dry docked….

Over/under on how soon he gets another gig.

Don’t know but I’d wager soon and very soon

Look for Doc to sign a deal with TNT.

I do not see him getting another head coaching job. He certainly has been blessed with coaching some very talented teams. We know he is not a coach that wants a rebuild situation. The Suns job is OUT (Chris Paul does not like him) The Bucks are in need of a remodel project.

I feel sorry for Doc but after this series vs the Celtics some serious changes need to be made in Philadelphia and firing the coach is the easiest.

It's the head coach's job to get the most out of his players.  Clearly Doc didn't, not in the 4th quarter of Game 6 and not from the 3rd quarter on in Game 7.  I thought he coached a great series for the first 5 1/2 games but those aren't the ones Sixer fans will remember.

I just watched a YouTube video of some Philly radio show hosts.  They ran a poll, "What do you want to see happen with the Sixers first?".  Their results were:

6% - Keeping Daryl Morey as GM
11% - Trade Joel Embiid
22% - Let James Harden walk
62% - Fire Doc Rivers

Well, the majority of those responding to that poll got what they wanted, and between Monte Williams and Bud there are some good replacements for Doc currently available out there, but I don't know if that's the only thing that team needs.  An intramuscular injection of ganas into their hearts is harder to deliver on a team-wide basis but it's also what they need the most, in my opinion.

Trade Embiid?  And how, exactly, do they think they'll get fair value for him?  As far as the Celtics go I'd be willing to give up RWill, Grant and Payton for him.  RWill is injured as much, or more than Embiid.  Grant may be gone for more money elsewhere regardless and Payton is gone for more playing time elsewhere regardless.  Would Philly go for that?  No?  Well then good luck getting more from anybody else.  But imagine a Celtic team with the Js, Smart and Embiid.  Imagine Embiid on a team where he doesn't have the pressure of having to carry them.  Not gonna happen, but I can dream.

If Harden still wants the big bucks you either let him walk or find a sucker to do a sign-and-trade for him.

I'm surprised "Dump Tobias Harris" wasn't a poll question. That'd be a good option.

10 years after "The Process" began and the net results is that they've upgraded from a perennial first round exit to a more predictable second round exit, usually thanks to us.  No wonder they hate us.  It's for the same reason why LeQueen hates us.  We're their arch nemesis.


Bob


.

The Sixers have blown countless opportunities to build their roster in a way that capitalizes on a wing dominated configuration.

Bringing in a new coach will not change their situation.

They are right on the edge of rolling out a rebuild but they may lose Embid in the 'process'

Harden turn 34 in August and has a $35.6 million player option on the table. He will be looking for his last big time payday. The Sixers would be foolish to give that to him. We have seen it over and over again. Uou cannot build around players that are deep in their prime and have an availability issue plus a history of underachievement during the playoffs.

Tobias Harris has a $39 million player option this summer and I do not see him running away for the final installment on a contract that overpaid him for his services.

The Celtics have been beating up on the Sixers because we have the Jays and they don't.

The Sixers are a team that is too good to be bad but not good enough to be great.

They really need quality wings and defense at the point among other things.

why don't they get rid of the GM??? So now the race is on, who gets the job? Nurse? the fired Milwaukee coach ( only because I cannot spell his name correctly)? Monte Williams? the list is long. If Doc can find a premade team, that is were he will go. He is not into building. What about Atlanta?? I wonder where they will all land. This was inevitable. Too many blown playoff games, the coach is always to blame, didn't you know that?

MOrey could be next followed by his Jelly back step son ‘Softon’ (or vice versa )

Po Doc. I feel bad for him. During post game he looked and sounded as though he knew they were oiling up his skates back in Pennsylvania.
He’ll be aight’!

So. What’s next?

-Atlanta has Quin Snyder now but wouldn't that had been fitting for Glenn to return to Atlanta?

-Glenn will get another shot somewhere.  He’s too well liked and despite his record of blowing leads, he's still a pretty good coach- in the right situation.

-Please please please don’t install him as a game analyst. He knows his stuff but his Nutrabullet voice will send me into orbit.

-There are too many game analysts out there that need to be elsewhere.
(I’m working on a hit list and when I’m done I’ll share)

Did Glenn deserve to get Popped?

It depends on ones perspective.
-His teams in Boston, LA and Philly consistently won 50 or more games during the regular seasons but also consistently blew 3-2 and 3-1 leads in the playoffs.

-It became a pattern and not so much a coincidence. Boston then La then Philly.
With the exception of 08, All 3 of these teams underachieved over a period of more than a decade.
Something in the milk ain’t clean.

-If Glenn chooses to coach again, he will.
He is a blessed not-so-young man who somehow always lands on his feet.

-Back to perspectives

If you’re Minnesota, DC, Charlotte  and teams of that ilk, you'll see 50 win seasons as a success. However, consistent 50 win seasons also raises fan expectations. They begin to want more and if you can’t deliver- it soon turns into
 “Here’s your hat now whats your hurry” time.

Whether one wants to believe it or not, fans get coaches fired and it’s comes in particular order.
A- underachievement or just piss poor coaching
B- media attacks
C- fan dissatisfaction
D- front office pressure
E- Bang. You’re dead!

-We know Glenn is not going to want a rebuild situation but if he really wants to coach, he may have to reset those priorities.

- Milwaukee may be a good landing spot.

-Phoenix as well. I wouldn't worry so much over the Chris Paul Factor. His broken down a$$ may not be there anyway. He ain’t Booker or Durant,
If it comes down to Glenn vs. Paul. Glenn will win. Paul will be in the wind.

-Toronto is looking at JJ Reddick. Good luck. He’s never coached anywhere but you go right ahead Toronto. God bless America and Canada too. FOH.

-Season is  not over so maybe there will be a few more coaches that get popped. We’ll  just have to sit wait and see.

-MHBAO, If Glenn wants to coach again, he will get another shot.

It sounds like some of the players, Harden?? Threw him under the bus. I am not sure about Embid. Max was on NBC sports tonight, he said he had heard that there was some discontent there. Unbelievable a guy who disappears in the most important game of the season and he blames the coach. Oh well, you are right, he will land on his feet. He made the remark in post game when asked if he would be back “yes, I believe I have 2 more years on my contract”. So he is in no rush to let them off the hook

My take is Doc got a raw deal. Embid was injured and only had one game where he looked like the MVP. We were really lucky Embid was never right this series, Doc was preaching the right things; his team and best player didn’t respond, that game 7 crowd also made a huge difference. Doc definitely didn’t adjust well enough at all in game 6 to RWill starting, who made a huge difference.

Matty got his wish, 17 years later (for those that remember his old board name with The Globe).

The old saying that it's easier to fire the coach than the whole team is true. Doc did everything you could ask of a coach. I wouldn't fire the team, but after Embiid, Maxey and Harris, and with Harden looking toward Houston, there sure is room for some new faces. That Philly starting five was among the best. When Harden showed up.

Doc will have his choice of returning to TV or returning to the bench. My guess is he returns to the bench. By draft day.

Does anybody else think that Steve Kerr's latest comments sound much like Brad Stevens before he moved up to replace Danny? Bob Meyers' contract expires in June. I smell Kerr moving to the front office.

NYCelt wrote:Matty got his wish, 17 years later (for those that remember his old board name with The Globe).

The old saying that it's easier to fire the coach than the whole team is true. Doc did everything you could ask of a coach. I wouldn't fire the team, but after Embiid, Maxey and Harris, and with Harden looking toward Houston, there sure is room for some new faces. That Philly starting five was among the best. When Harden showed up.

Doc will have his choice of returning to TV or returning to the bench. My guess is he returns to the bench. By draft day.

17 years ago? Wow time moves fast, well I think I was wrong back then. Turns out he was the right man for the time after all.
Not really sure if a new coach helps Philly get past us next year. Harden will be 35, Embid is as likely to be absent when needed as much as Time Lord. And the J’s will still be getting better. Frankly, now is our time, it would be bettter for other eastern team to look at the long road when our current run ends. Anyone who gets past is in next couple years will be just plain lucky.

First off, Ktron, I'm still LMFAO with the NutraBullet comment!!  OMG that is ridiculously funny!  Did NOT see that one coming!  

Second, Rosalie, Morey firing is coming.  He created this mess.  It would be the most mindboggling, stupid (non)move if Morey somehow kept his job.  I don't even think the media is onto it because all their comments so far indicate Morey will be around for and assist with the ensuing rebuild.  But PHI didn't listen to me last year either and start all this then.  Now it's just embarrassing and like shooting fish in a barrel.  Next after that or they may flip the order would be/will be Elton Brand.  He's the most protected and the furthest off from the firing line (pun intended) but he may just get caught in the wave/coat tails.

Lastly, Prakash, hadn't thought about that but that would make perfect sense for Steve.  Get out/Jump just before the wheels come off, don't get dirty, nobody gets hurt.  He's that crafty.  Like him or not, he will be remembered as one of the greatest coaches of all time.  Getting out ahead of the tsunami makes perfect sense.  

db

Dbrown, you keep mentioning Elton Brand and if you didn't I would've thought he wasn’t with the team anymore.
We never hear anything about him which probably bodes well for him. Maybe. And..maybe because Morey has Been hogging the spotlight. So you could be exactly right. Elton may be the last swinging you know what out the door.

Harden has one hell of a nerve. I saw his interview where he said Doc and he were “Okay”. You could tell that they weren’t really okay at all.

His bearded bee hind is playing  all scared in the latter part of game 6 and the entire game 7 yet he doesn't take any responsibility other than ‘I played lousy’ or something like that.
If he’s lucky enough to go back to Houston his luck will take a sharp turn if he pulls the his disappearing act on Ime’.

I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Ime calls his a$$ in to the office.
Think he played scared last week? He’d probably be so scared he wouldn't show up to practice. 2 Hell with Harden.

Oh, I also have to backpedal on Embiid.
During my post game post I stated that I was removing the ‘Backstabber’ tag off of his jersey.
Welp, changed my mind, or should I say HE changed my mind.
His comment during post game-
“You Caunt expect us to ween wit just me aund James’ (Paraphrase and fake accent inserted here).
That sounds like some subtle backstabbing to me. Who says no?
Sooooo, he gets to keep his MVB trophy after all. Cue the O’jays “Backstabbers”

Yeah he was lil lame Lamont out there with his injury but his body language, moping and uninspired play tells me he gave up on his team and his coach.

Coaches like Doc get fired not because they're not good coaches. It’s because they didn't meet expectations and thats just part of how professional sports roll.

Glenn didn’t tell his players to quit playing. Glenn didn’t scare Harden into playing scared with his poor impersonation of a ghost.

Glenn didn't tell the backstabber to put on a pout and limp off into the sunset.

This like more often than not falls on the players, specifically your star players that show up but don’t show out.

Cue Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror”.

As far as I am concerned, the Sixers and their former coach are all backstabbers.  They have exhibited a clear tendency to throw each other under the bus whenever their own culpability comes into question.

The organization is a horrible mess and have been so for a long time. Bad draft picks, Bad trades, bad coaching,Bad energy just plan bad.

As far as I am concerned, the Yo Yo Master can go fish.  

It has always been about him.  Always looking for the ready built opportunity that he screws up at some point.  Harden is a bum and Embid is a loser and a cry baby.  

Screw the Sixers and their fans.

dboss,

You forgot bad medical/training staff. Look what they did to Fultz. They failed with Simmons as well, IMO.

Horford's family just hated the place.

I agree, just plain bad.

I could not have said it better, dboss. As a 60 plus year fan of the Celtics, I have no love for the Philadelphia basketball team and their god forsaken fans. That is alot of years of dislike!! I remember sitting in the stands in Philly and watching the Celtics beat them for the title years ago and loving every minute of it. I still feel the same. Change of players, coaches, GM's. owners, whatever, they are still bums. I said the other day, if that game Sunday was in Philly the stands would have been empty in the third quarter, with the rest booing their team and coach. Oh well, my two cents!!

gyso wrote:dboss,

You forgot bad medical/training staff.  Look what they did to Fultz.  They failed with Simmons as well, IMO.

Horford's family just hated the place.

I agree, just plain bad.

+1

gyso wrote:dboss,

You forgot bad medical/training staff.  Look what they did to Fultz.  They failed with Simmons as well, IMO.

Horford's family just hated the place.

I agree, just plain bad.

+1

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I could not have said it better, dboss.  As a 60 plus year fan of the Celtics, I have no love for the Philadelphia basketball team and their god forsaken fans.  That is alot of years of dislike!!  I  remember sitting in the stands in Philly and watching the Celtics beat them for the title years ago and loving every minute of it. I still feel the same. Change of players, coaches,  GM's. owners, whatever, they are still bums.  I said the other day, if that game Sunday was in Philly the stands would have been empty in the third quarter, with the rest booing their team and coach.   Oh well, my two cents!!

Rosalie we are joined together.

We own Philly. All the battles and all the front runner attitudes by them only to get spanked once again by the Celtics is part of our collective memories. This is living Celtics History.

Ktron, I think you hit on it. I tend to still like Embiid because I think he will continue to be a good of the league. The fact that he said what he said speaks volumes about where that "team" is. He's right. You can't win with just two players. Jordan couldn't win by himself, neither could LeBron.

Contrast that with ALL you Celtics post-game interviews. The media will try to get them to talk about how well or badly they did individually and then elaborate, but almost to a "t" the next sentence out of their respective mouths has the word "team" in it or another player's name that is addressed in a light of how they helped him do what he just did. It's almost a broken record.

I think for their situation, which dovetails into what I've been barking about the ensuing Armageddon, Embiid could not have said it more perfectly and sealed everyone's fate. They do not have a team in PHI unfortunately. We do. Players that do not have a team say EXACTLY what Embiid says. Now we've still got the drama lovers and we let games slip that we shouldn't but we have a team that can back it up. And back it up they just did to PHI.

db

DB,
Embiid has been with the Sixers his entire career. He’s had other good to great players around him and still didn't get to a conf final.
Embiid and Harden are not the only 2 players on that team. Maxey, PJ and Harris and a few others also exist.

Embiid is THE star of that team and with that comes the responsibility of putting in maximum effort and not wilting like the last rose of the summer.

Just my opinion but true leaders don't call out their teammates and coaches even it some of it is their fault.

Embiid is supposed to be “the man” but he cry’s like a baby.
Who wants that nonsense?

He's an odd duck, I'll give you that, Ktron.  So was KG before coming to Boston, then he was even more an odd duck but he was finally put in the right environment in which to win and he did.  Being in Boston released him and his inner-champion.  

I think the same applies to and for Embiid.  PHI just ain't the right environment for anyone.  Hence the continuous calls for Armageddon.  

I think he's a leader, just in the wrong place and now at the wrong time.  Again, no one listened to that call coming from the wilderness.  He may be stuck.    

Was that Rosalie that said something about RWIII and pieces for Embiid here?  I'd take that.  We ain't giving up anything else.  Ain't gonna happen, but I'd do that.  He'd be KG, Jr. here for sure and maybe even KG, Sr.  But he'd be released.  He's just in the wrong place.
 
db

P.S. It looks like form all what I'm reading, Morey has no clue about the blindside coming. It's business as usual for him looking for a new coach.