Doc Rivers Talks Team Chemistry, Embiid Rest, and MORE
Doc Rivers joined the John Kincade Show Tuesday after the teams big 121-119 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. The win came without the teams best player, Joel Embiid, who was named the Eastern Conference player of the week. Embiid has really stepped his game up this season and is currently the front runner for the MVP award. Rivers was asked whats changed from the Embiid we see this year from the one we saw last season
“We wanted to change his distribution of shots. I felt like coming in that a lot was away from the basket and I wanted to establish his low game more. I wanted to make him a roller when we go pick and rolls more. And then this year, and even last year a little bit, I wanted the ball in his hands more in transition. I just thought it’s such a tough look to guard… the fact that Joel can do that, we’ve taken advantage of that as well.”
The Sixers were led by second year guard Tyrese Maxey who scored a season high 33 points, including the winning bucket. Rivers, who was an All-Star point guard when he played, talked about the improvements from his starting point guard.
“You remember last year, especially early in the year when we played him and then stopped playing him, everything was a floater… This year and the end of last year he’s going all the way to the basket and finishing with speed and power. And then the second step, I’ve never seen a guy last year who shot that many shots and shot that well that in a game didn’t make them last year… His big step now is the three ball, he has the confidence to take it and he’s going to make it.”
Doc was also asked about the mood of the team. The chemistry with this group. And his relationship with the media/being questioned on short comings. Check out the full interview below.
