Philadelphia 76ers dismisses coach Rivers after loss to Celtics in Conference Semifinals

Basketball
Published 16.05.2023
Philadelphia 76ers dismisses coach Rivers after loss to Celtics in Conference Semifinals

The Philadelphia 76ers has parted methods with head coach Doc Rivers after three seasons, a number of media shops reported on Tuesday.

Rivers led the 76ers to the Eastern Conference semifinal sequence in every of his three seasons on the helm. Third-seeded Philadelphia fell aside within the second half on Sunday and dropped a 112-88 determination to the second-seeded Boston Celtics in Game 7.

“Doc is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, a future Hall of Famer, and someone I respect immensely,” 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey stated in an announcement. “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.”

Per ESPN, the 76ers’ seek for a brand new coach is anticipated to incorporate Mike Budenholzer, Sam Cassell, Mike D’Antoni, Nick Nurse, Frank Vogel and Monty Williams.

Rivers, 61, is greatest recognized for teaching the 2007-08 Celtics workforce that includes Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen that gained the NBA title. The Celtics returned to the Finals two years later however misplaced in seven video games to the Los Angeles Lakers; additionally they made the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.

Rivers has not coached a workforce previous the second spherical of the playoffs since then.

The Sixers have flamed out within the second spherical in every of the three seasons since Rivers took over in 2020-21. They have been the No. 1 seed within the Eastern Conference in 2020-21 however fell to the Atlanta Hawks in seven video games within the semifinals. Last season, they dropped the semifinal sequence to the Miami Heat in six video games.

Against Boston, Philadelphia held a 3-2 sequence lead however misplaced 95-86 at house in Game 6 earlier than Sunday’s catastrophe.

In 24 seasons as a head coach for the Orlando Magic (1999-04), Celtics (2004-13), Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20) and 76ers, Rivers has a 1,097-763 profession file within the common season and a 111-104 mark within the playoffs. He has not coached a sub-.500 workforce since 2006-07.