The Philadelphia 76ers have made a decision about their coaching future.
They parted ways with Doc Rivers after three years on the job, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise, all things considered.
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
Rivers entered the season on the hot seat after years of underperforming and blowing playoff leads, and it didn’t seem like he was on the same page with some of his players, either.
That’s why multiple fans took to Twitter to mock and even celebrate the Sixers’ decision to move on from Rivers.
Coach about to blow a 3-1 lead in Taiwan with Dwight Howard
— Jeff Van Gundy’s Burner (@JeffVanGundysB1) May 16, 2023
Most overrated coach of all time
— َ (@FeelLikeDrew) May 16, 2023
Probably, but now do every other series Glenn has choked away in his career…
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) May 16, 2023
They weren’t going to risk losing harden. It was doc or harden. Easy choice there
— RB (@rb89rb) May 16, 2023
When will people finally realize he ain’t that great of a coach. Got lucky with a great squad in Boston. Every other stop has been a failure
— Saam Mobasseri (@SuitItUp) May 16, 2023
Notably, Rivers has followed this same trend everywhere he’s gone except the Boston Celtics.
His teams are good in the regular season and then fall short in the playoffs, blowing more leads and losing more Game 7s and series-clinching games than any other coach in NBA history.
Rivers has had a plethora of talent at his disposal, yet he was only able to win one ring with the Celtics’ Big 3, and some believe he’s ridden off that success up to this point.
But given how he’s left most of his teams, and how some of his former players seem to feel about him, it’s hard to envision him getting another coaching opportunity in the foreseeable future.
Rivers is a well-respected veteran for his past as a player, and no one can take that championship ring away from him.
But this was long overdue, and it was clear as day that the Sixers weren’t going to get over the hump with him calling the shots.
NEXT: James Harden Reportedly Doesn't Want To Play For Doc Rivers