Reports: Doc Rivers on the hot seat after Philadelphia 76ers’ woeful start to the season, could become first coaching casualty of the season
The Philadelphia 76ers have gotten off to a horrid start to the 2022-23 season. Reports reveal that head coach Doc Rivers might be relieved of his duties if things continue on a downward trajectory.
Coming into the season, the Sixers were one of the favorites to advance into the Finals from the East. They had made some adjustments to their roster in the off-season, which led many to believe in their chances of making a deep playoff run.
While it is still early in the season, the organization's patience is running thin. While the players have some time to turn things around, the coach might not be so lucky.
A recent report has revealed that there have been talks about firing Rivers. NBA analyst Zach Lowe made the revelation on his podcast, "The Lowe Post":
"Bill Simmons has been saying for weeks that Doc could be the first coach fired. Certainly, people are chattering about that in the league ecosystem, but I don’t know how much of that chatter is reality."
Lowe went on to criticize aspects of the 76ers' game:
"Like this is the team, and they’ve just got to be better than this. To me, offense is fine. It takes time to get that snap. Start trying in transition defense because what’s on the floor right now is embarrassing."
Report: Doc Rivers’ future with the Philadelphia 76ers is up in the air ahnfiredigital.com/nba/philadelph…
The Philadelphia 76ers have lost four of their first five games of the 2022-23 season
The Sixers are going through one of their worst starts in recent years. The team, which came into the season with championship aspirations, has recorded one victory in five outings.
Their first loss came in the season opener against the Boston Celtics. So far, they have suffered losses against the top teams in the East, including the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors.
After going 0-3, the Sixers defeated the Indiana Pacers to register their first and only win. They will take on the Toronto Raptors again on Friday night.
During the offseason, the Sixers acquired PJ Tucker to help spread the floor and improve their defense. James Harden took a $15 million pay cut to make that possible.
Harden earlier stated that he believes he can deliver an MVP-caliber performance this season and has looked good so far. Unfortunately, his heroics have largely happened in losing efforts for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Doc Rivers has had some significant dents in his long coaching career
Rivers is in his third year with the Philadelphia 76ers but is no closer to delivering a championship based on their current run. The experienced coach was brought in to lead the franchise to glory but has been unable to do so.
In his first year in Philly, the Sixers lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs. Although Ben Simmons took the blame for their semifinal exit in the 2021 playoffs, the coach cannot be absolved of blame.
@NBCSPhilly )Doc Rivers fires back at reporters for bringing up his 3-1 collapses
(🎥 @NBCSPhilly ) https://t.co/E0ekAb5Qz8
Rivers is notorious for blowing comfortable leads in the playoffs. Perhaps the most notable is the LA Clippers' 2020 collapse when they blew a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs.