Joel Embiid made it clear that, despite winning the league MVP, the Philadelphia 76ers’ shortcomings largely fell on him.
However, it appears that the organization’s leadership disagrees with him. And after losing in the second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, Philadelphia has found its fall guy.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 76ers fired head coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday.
BREAKING: The 76ers dismissed coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday, sources tell ESPN. Rivers led the Sixers to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in each of his three seasons on the job. pic.twitter.com/WM0t4LhrAz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 16, 2023
The 76ers finished the regular season with a 54-28 record, which made them the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs. However, after taking a 3-2 series lead over the 2-seed Boston Celtics, Philadelphia failed yet again to advance past the second round in NBA Playoffs.
As The Athletic pointed out, with Sunday’s loss, Rivers has now lost the last five Game 7s he has coached in. He is now 6-10 in Game 7s and his 10 losses are the most Game 7 losses of any coach in NBA history.
Naturally, it was easy for the blame to be placed on Rivers, but the shortcomings of Embiid and James Harden doomed the Sixers from advancing any further. Rivers was head coach of the 76ers for three seasons and led them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in each of his three seasons on the job.
“Doc is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, a future Hall of Famer and someone I respect immensely,” said 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey in a statement. “We’re grateful for all he did in his three seasons here and thank him for the important impact he made on our franchise. After having the chance to reflect upon our season, we decided that certain changes are necessary to further our goals of competing for a championship.”
Now the Sixers will be searching for a new coach and according to Wojnarowski, the search is expected to include the likes of Mike Budenholzer, Sam Cassell, Mike D’Antoni, Nick Nurse, Frank Vogel and Monty Williams.
As the news of Rivers’ firing broke, NBA fans reacted on social media:
I have to say, I am a bit surprised by the news. I’ve always believed the impact of the vast majority of coaches is overrated, and so I didn’t think this had to happen. But I understand why it did. Will be fascinating to see who the leading candidates end up being.
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) May 16, 2023
Doc Rivers:
Blew 3-1 lead with TMac
Blew multiple 3-2 leads with Boston core
Blew 3-1 lead with CP3/Blake/DJ
Blew 3-1 Lead with Kawhi/PG
L to Hawks with Ben/Embiid as a HUGE favorite with blown 20 point leads and a Home GM7 L
Blew 3-2 Lead with Embiid/HardenPpl still post bail https://t.co/AvGD2cPiKs
— Fire EveRByone (@RyB_311) May 16, 2023
Writing was on the wall for Doc Rivers after James Harden's lukewarm endorsement following Sunday's season ending loss. There's a strong field of available coaches but the Sixers will have competition for them.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) May 16, 2023
I really don't think it was his fault this year but the writing was already on the wall…
Hard to get it done when your core guys are this inconsistent, then obviously Embiid just not being there Game 7 https://t.co/2UoGJvcXGn pic.twitter.com/8bJVInnHUq
— x – Jays Enthusiast (@gReenbean_26) May 16, 2023
[ESPN]
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.