Doc Rivers Has Played A Massive Role In Where The Sixers Are
The struggles over the past handful of seasons for the Sixers, particularly in playoff basketball, haven’t solely been the losses to inferior opponents. But also where to lay blame. From Joel Embiid to just about any of the 15-plus prominent players that have been brought in through the years to surround this year’s MVP. All have been subject to questions as to why the team hasn’t reached even milder expectations when it comes to the playoffs.
Embiid has reached new heights in his basketball level of play this year. To not only garner that first MVP but to rightfully plant himself as a top-three player in the league. Still, when the Sixers won two games without him this postseason, the usual rumblings of his importance rumbled like a brewing summer storm off in the distance.
While the focus has shifted from here to there on figuring out who to sprinkle the spice of blame on, the main beneficiary of complaints has fallen on the head coach, Doc Rivers. Blown leads. Inability to get out of the second round not only here but in other cities. Rotations. All of the subjects that most coaches face certainly haven’t failed to fall on Rivers in this city. And fair enough. Part of the job description, a major part, is being scrutinized by fans. When Rivers signed here, that was as guaranteed as the money.
…
But Rivers has been nothing short of special in these playoffs. From implementing a matchup zone in the Brooklyn series. To game-planning without Joel Embiid in Games 4 and 1, both wins, against the Nets and Celtics. He has had his team execute so well out of timeouts on the offensive side of the ball and has used his timeouts perfectly so far this postseason. Grade of A.
But it’s the off-the-court Rivers that has impressed me more. With the mantra that winning the second round, something that has so eluded him and this organization, isn’t the goal. The next game is the goal, Doc Rivers has said repeatedly, never looking too far ahead. The next game, of course, is Thursday and could be an organizational-changing win. And, being honest, Rivers has had a major hand in it.
Related:
Sixers’ Twitter Reacts To The Huge Game 5 Win Over Boston
