After the Philadelphia 76ers were knocked out of the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Miami Heat in a 99-90 Game 6 loss—losing the series 4-2—many have been questioning Doc Rivers and his reign as head coach for a team that’s fell short of their championship expectations over the last few years.
However, President of basketball operations Daryl Morey said on Friday that the organization will have him back as head coach next season.
Daryl Morey says Doc Rivers will be back as coach next season.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 13, 2022
Over his career, Rivers has lost three series in which his squad initially had a 3-1 lead but lost. With Joel Embiid’s facial fracture and James Harden’s continued integration into the Sixers system, the playoffs were rocky for the fourth best team in the East (51-31).
After Thursday’s loss, Rivers was asked about his comfortability with his job security having repeated shortcomings in the postseason.
“I think I do a terrific job and if you don’t, then you should write it. Because I work my butt off to get this team here. When I first got here, no one picked us to be anywhere, and again this year the same thing,” Rivers told reporters.
Doc Rivers response about his job security. Question is from Howard Eskin. pic.twitter.com/EBHupc2j11
— David Grzybowski (@DavidGrzyTV) May 13, 2022
Morey continued today saying that his belief is that the Sixers will and can win a title with Doc as their head coach.
“I just think he’s a great coach. I love working with him,” Morey said, via CBS Sports. “I feel like I’m learning from him. I think Elton [Brand] and I and him make a great team and we’re going to see where this journey takes us. But we feel very good about where it’s going to take us. It’s going to be where we have a very good chance to win a title.”
