Philadelphia 76ers

Stephen A. Smith says he’s been told that Doc Rivers will survive in Philadelphia

Published by
Peter Dewey

The Philadelphia 76ers and head coach Doc Rivers were eliminated from the playoffs on Thursday night by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

This is the second straight season that Rivers has failed to guide the Sixers out of the second round, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think that it will cost Rivers his job.

“I’ve been told within the last 20 minutes that they having a team meeting within the hour or so, and then after that, Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers are going to meet privately,” Smith said. “I’m also being told that Doc Rivers will survive, that he’ll last in Philadelphia.”

Even though the Sixers have failed to make the Eastern Conference Finals under Rivers, he has led the team to some success in the last two seasons.

Philadelphia was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2020-21 season. Unfortunately, it ended up getting upset by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the playoffs. This season, the Sixers earned the No. 4 seed in the East and beat the Toronto Raptors in the first round.

It’s hard to blame Rivers completely for the team’s series loss to the Heat, as Joel Embiid was forced to miss the first two games with an orbital fracture and mild concussion. That put the Sixers in a two-game hole in the series, which ended up being costly.

For his career, Rivers has compiled a 1,043-735 regular season record and 104-100 postseason record as a head coach.

If Rivers were to be fired by the Sixers, it has been reported that the Los Angeles Lakers would be interested in him to fill their vacant coaching role.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball, football and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

11 hours ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

4 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

5 days ago

Shannon Sharpe implies Jamal Murray defers to Nikola Jokic like Kobe deferred to Shaq: ‘Murray is more than capable’

An ankle injury has kept Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokic sidelined for more…

6 days ago