While he admits he doesn’t make the final decisions for the Philadelphia 76ers, team superstar and reigning MVP Joel Embiid does not believe the team will have a different head coach next season.
The Philadelphia 76ers 2022-2023 season came to a miserable end on Sunday afternoon. After coming up short after a rough final six minutes in Game 6, the team had a terrible second half as they were dispatched from the playoffs by Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in Game 7 this weekend.
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Their sad showing in one of the biggest games in the franchise’s history has once again put a spotlight on the future of head coach Doc Rivers. While the coach led the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008, his career has been filled with earlier-than-expected exits. His Los Angeles Clippers teams couldn’t get over the second-round hump and that is now the case with the Philadelphia 76ers after three seasons despite having elite talent.
There are many around the league that expect the roster to be tweaked, and that could come after the franchise decides they need a new head coach. However, the team’s top talent — and a player whose opinion goes a long way — does not believe Rivers will get the axe by the Philadelphia 76ers’ front office in the coming days.
Philadelphia 76ers record (’22-’23): 54-28
Following their 112-88 loss to Boston on Sunday, Joel Embiid was asked about Doc Rivers’ future with the organization and he threw his support behind the head coach for the job he has done in Philadelphia.
“I don’t know … I think he has done a fantastic job. We have gotten better over the years. I don’t make the decisions. I think he should be fine … he has been a great leader for all of us.”
– Joel Embiid
- Doc Rivers record (Career): 1,097-763
If Embiid has a say on the coach — most top stars do — it seems like he would prefer Rivers to be back in 2023-2024. However, now might be the perfect time for a coaching change with elite coaches like Monty Williams, Nick Nurse, and Mike Budenholzer all available.
