The Philadelphia 76ers’ journey in the playoffs is over after a blowout Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Doc Rivers is now on the hot seat for losing the 10th Game 7 of his coaching career. He has a 6-10 record in Game 7s. The 76ers held a 3-2 lead in the series, so it makes it more difficult for the franchise to digest the elimination. Speaking of Rivers, he has seemingly made it his habit to blow leads in the playoffs.
Since 2003, Doc Rivers has blown four 3-2 leads, three 3-1 leads, and one 2-0 lead. Here’s a look at the series, where a Rivers-coached team was eliminated from the playoffs despite holding a commanding lead.
2003 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons 3-4 (Blew 3-1 Lead)
2009 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic 3-4 (Blew 3-2 Lead)
2010 NBA Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 (Blew 3-2 Lead)
2012 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat 3-4 (Blew 3-2 Lead)
2015 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets 3-4 (Blew 3-1 Lead)
2016 NBA Western Conference First Round: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers 2-4 (Blew 2-0 Lead)
2020 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets 3-4 (Blew 3-1 Lead)
2023 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics 3-4 (Blew 3-2 Lead)
Rivers is usually regarded as one of the best coaches in the NBA. He reached that status after leading the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship. But outside of that one season, Rivers has failed in the postseason a plethora of times.
It’s no surprise that fans now think of him as an overrated coach who is living off the glory of that one championship run.
Will Doc Rivers Be Back With The Philadelphia 76ers After Early Playoff Exit?
The Philadelphia 76ers were looked at as one of the favorites to win the 2023 NBA Championship. After taking a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, many thought the 76ers will finally get over the hump.
But the Rivers-led team met another disappointing end to the season. In the postgame conference, Doc Rivers admitted that his job with the 76ers is in jeopardy after the Game 7 defeat.
“Yeah. I think I got two years left… No one’s safe in our business. I get that.”
It’s surprising that Rivers believes that he has two more years left. Over the last few months, fans have witnessed many championship-winning coaches being fired.
If Rivers returns as the head coach of the 76ers, it could be his final shot at redeeming himself. To do so, nothing short of an NBA Finals run will get Rivers back on the list of elite head coaches.
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