Doc Rivers was an NBA All-Star as a player and won an NBA championship as a coach, but his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers came to an unceremonious end last month.
After three seasons as the Sixers’ head coach and three second-round playoff eliminations, the team parted ways with Rivers. The longtime coach has yet to land in another NBA organization.
During a recent appearance on «The Bill Simmons Podcast,» Rivers reflected on his time in Philadelphia and discussed his experience coaching star player James Harden.
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James Harden (1) and Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers during a game on May 14, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Sixers acquired Harden in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022.
The 2018 NBA MVP had to adjust his playing style once he arrived in Philadelphia. When he was with the Houston Rockets, Harden was used to almost always having the ball in his hands and being the leading scorer.
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In Philly, Rivers seemed to want Harden to be more of a facilitator and second scoring option. Harden playing that role helped him coexist with superstar Joel Emiid.
However, it was a process to get Harden comfortable with his new role. At times, the frustrations seemed to boil over during games and in the locker room. Rivers described his time as Harden’s coach as «challenging.»
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers sets up a play for James Harden, left, in the fourth quarter. The 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics, 119-115, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in Boston on May 1, 2023. (Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
«It was challenging, more because we were fighting two things,» Rivers said when asked what it was like to coach Harden.
«James is so good at playing one way, and the way I think you have to play to win is different somehow because it’s about giving up the ball, moving the ball, getting back to the ball.»
Rivers also hinted that his experience coaching Harden might have been different if their paths had crossed earlier in their respective careers.
James Harden (1) of the Philadelphia 76ers prepares to shoot a free throw against the Boston Celtics during Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 11, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
«I would have loved to have had him younger when that was easier for him because giving the ball up and getting the ball back is hard. It’s physical and it’s exhausting,» Rivers added. «It would have been interesting if he’d had it younger and he could have done that more, coming off dribble passes that were coming downhill.»
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Rivers also shared his thoughts on the Sixers’ disappointing loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Despite holding a 3-2 series lead at the time, Philadelphia lost in seven games.
«As far as basketball, we have to pass the ball to Joel more,» Rivers said of Game 6.
«And trust me, we went out and [had] plays where it should have gone there, and it just didn’t get there, and those are great plays. Now, listen, Joel wasn’t having a great game, but he wasn’t having a great game either. [Jayson] Tatum, and my belief is so what? You still go through your guy, and you still let him save the day for you. I thought we had moved away from that.»