MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 02: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at FTX Arena on May 02, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers suffered another ugly end to a disappointing playoff run, producing a timid response in the face of Game 6 elimination against the Miami Heat. As Daryl Morey and the Sixers’ front office turn their eye to an ultra-important offseason, an array of questions hover over the franchise’s uncertain future.
One of those is the future of Doc Rivers, a top-15 coach of all time who has yet to lead the 76ers to the promised land. His two seasons as coach have now culminated in two disappointing second-round exits, with debate sure to mount on the portion of blame he deserves.
Doc Rivers’ unaccountability may cost him his job with the Philadelphia 76ers
If you ask Rivers himself, it sounds like he’s more than happy with his own coaching performance this season. His comments in the post-game press conference were perplexing, potentially leaving Philadelphia fans just as infuriated as the results themselves.
“I don’t worry about my job. I think I do a terrific job. If you don’t, then you should write it. I worked my butt off to get this team here. When I first got here, no one picked us to be anywhere. Again this year, the same thing.”
Now, does Rivers truly believe his insinuation of the lack of expectations? Or is it simply an attempt to reduce the level of disappointment among the media, fans, and even within the organization? Either way, it’s an insult to 76er fans, who will be rightly filled with anger and frustration.
The reality is that there is and was an expectation. When Rivers was hired as coach, the team was full of young talent and coming off three straight playoff appearances. This wasn’t a rebuilding team aiming to remove themselves from the dungeons of the lottery.
One of those playoff appearances included a near-Conference Finals berth in 2019, if not for the famous Kawhi Leonard buzzer-beater in game seven. The 76ers future seemed extremely bright at that point, yet that remains as close as they’ve been to the Conference Finals since 2001.
Doc Rivers also claimed that “we were just not good enough to beat Miami”. Technically he’s right, but the reality is that they should have been good enough. When Philadelphia traded for James Harden mid-season, they would have foreseeably expected to have the two best players in a series like this. Even with the series at 2-2 just a few days ago, many favoured them to advance.
It’s fair to acknowledge that the franchise has faced their fair share of unique issues, some of which weren’t totally in Rivers’ control. But to accept little to no responsibility, to claim you just ‘weren’t good enough’, is quite frankly a shocking display of unaccountability from the head coach.
The front office needs to get to the bottom of his comments to ensure they’re on the same page. If they aren’t, then that’s a concerning issue that may leave the relationship untenable. 76ers fans, for the patience of ‘trust the process’, deserve much better.
