After being fired by the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, former head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers responded with a thank you note on social media.
“I really enjoyed my time in Philadelphia – what a great city,” Rivers wrote on Instagram. “I want to start by thanking my staff, the players, and ownership group for their support. We got a lot done in a short amount of time. I’d also like to thank the 76ers fans. Whew … you guys are tough, and I think you’ve learned I’m tough too. I absolutely love you commitment to the city and its teams – never lose that.”
DOC RIVERS FIRED:Philadelphia 76ers fire head coach Doc Rivers after NBA playoff loss
Rivers said he wanted to being another championship to Philadelphia and thanked the fans for, “giving me the opportunity to lead, learn, and to love this great city.”
Why was Doc Rivers fired?
Rivers was fired Tuesday after the Sixers failed to advance past the second round of the NBA playoffs for the third straight season.
This season, with NBA MVP Joel Embiid and guard James Harden, the 76ers were considered contenders for the NBA title. After finishing the regular season 54-28 and earning the third-seed in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers eliminated the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. They were up 3-2 against Boston in the second round, but the Celtics used a fourth-quarter rally to win Game 6 and force Game 7.
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In Game 7, Jayson Tatum scored 51 points and the Celtics dominated the third quarter en route to a 112-88 victory. It was the third-straight year the Sixers were eliminated in the second round and dropped Rivers’ record as a head coach in Game 7s to 6-10.
Daughter defends Doc Rivers
Callie Rivers, Doc Rivers’ daughter, came to her father’s defense on Twitter.
Rivers responded to a tweet from ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks pointing out that the three franchises with the most wins since the 2020-2021 season are all looking for new coaches.
“Hate to see it,” Rivers wrote.
The three coaches fired were:
- Phoenix fired Monty Williams, whose teams have won 160 games the last three seasons and made the Western Conference finals in 2020-21. He was also named NBA Coach of the Year in 2022.
- Milwaukee fired Mike Budenholzer, whose teams won 158 games the last three season and won the NBA championship in 2021. He’s also a two-time coach of the year winner.
- Philadelphia fired Rivers, whose teams won 154 games the last three season.
