What Happened to Doc Rivers? Did the 76ers Fire Doc Rivers? Why was Doc Rivers Fired?
by Kowsalya | Updated May 17, 2023
What Happened to Doc Rivers?
The Philadelphia 76ers have fired their head coach, Doc Rivers, following a Game 7 loss to the Celtics and another second-round exit from the playoffs. Rivers had been with the team since October 2020 and led them to their best regular season in over 20 years, finishing with a 54-28 record.
However, after losing in the semifinals for three straight years, the team decided to make changes to further their goal of competing for a championship. Rivers had a successful coaching career, winning an NBA title with the Celtics in 2008 and coaching for the Orlando Magic starting in 2000.
However, his teams have the most losses in playoff Game 7's for any coach in NBA history, and the Sixers lost three straight years in the semifinals under his leadership. Despite the team's decision, Rivers received praise from star player Joel Embiid for his leadership and motivation.
Did the 76ers Fire Doc Rivers?
After failing to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season, the Philadelphia 76ers fired head coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday. While acknowledging his successful coaching career and impact on the team, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey stated that changes were necessary to achieve their goal of winning a championship.
Despite leading the team to their best regular season record in over 20 years and another MVP-worthy season from Joel Embiid, Rivers' playoff record with the 76ers was disappointing, including a 6-10 record in Game 7s, the most losses for any NBA coach.
Why was Doc Rivers Fired?
Doc Rivers was fired as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers because of their recent disappointing playoff performances. Despite having two consecutive 50-win seasons and NBA MVP Joel Embiid on their roster, the team failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the third year in a row.
They held a 3-2 series lead in the semifinals against the Boston Celtics but lost in Game 7. Rivers' record in Game 7s is 6-10, the most losses for any NBA coach in history. The Sixer's management felt that changes were necessary to achieve their goal of competing for a championship.
How Many Times Has Doc Rivers Been Fired?
As a coach in the NBA, Doc Rivers has been fired a total of four times in his career. His first firing happened in 2003 when he was let go by the Orlando Magic after five seasons with the team. Rivers then took a break from coaching before being hired by the Boston Celtics in 2004.
During his tenure with the Celtics, Rivers led the team to an NBA championship in 2008 and another NBA Finals appearance in 2010. However, after the team failed to make the playoffs in the 2012-2013 season, Rivers and the Celtics agreed to part ways, leading to his second firing.
In 2013, Rivers was hired by the Los Angeles Clippers and coached the team for seven seasons. Despite leading the team to the playoffs in six of those seven seasons, including the Western Conference Finals in 2015, Rivers was fired in 2020 after the Clippers suffered another disappointing playoff loss.
Most recently, Rivers was fired by the Philadelphia 76ers after a third straight exit in the second round of the playoffs. Despite leading the team to two straight 50-win seasons, Rivers was unable to lead the 76ers past the second round of the playoffs.
Who is Doc Rivers?
Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is a retired American professional basketball player and current basketball coach who most recently served as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.
After playing three seasons of college basketball for the Marquette Golden Eagles, Rivers was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the 1983 NBA draft and played as a point guard for several teams, including the Hawks, the Los Angeles Clippers, the New York Knicks, and the San Antonio Spurs.
Rivers was an NBA All-Star in 1988. He started his coaching career in 1999 when he was appointed as the head coach for the Orlando Magic. In his first season with the Magic, he was named the 2000 NBA Coach of the Year.
Rivers went on to coach the Boston Celtics, leading them to an NBA championship in 2008, before coaching the Los Angeles Clippers and then the Philadelphia 76ers.
What Happened to Doc Rivers - FAQs
The Philadelphia 76ers have fired their head coach, Doc Rivers, following a Game 7 loss to the Celtics and another second-round exit from the playoffs. Rivers had been with the team since October 2020 and led them to their best regular season in over 20 years, finishing with a 54-28 record.
After failing to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season, the Philadelphia 76ers fired head coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday.
Doc Rivers was fired as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers because of their recent disappointing playoff performances.
Glenn Anton Doc Rivers is a retired American professional basketball player and current basketball coach who most recently served as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.