Doc Rivers is at present out of labor within the NBA following his dismissal from his put up as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a choice by the Sixers not a couple of anticipated the crew would make after it shockingly had a meltdown within the second spherical of the 2023 NBA Playoffs by the hands of Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. Up 3-2 after 5 video games within the sequence, the Sixers have been on the cusp of knocking out the defending Japanese Convention champions, however as destiny would have it, Philly crumbled beneath stress and misplaced Video games 6 and seven to undergo yet one more exit from the playoffs beneath Rivers.
Whether or not you assume Doc Rivers deserves one other shot at being a head coach within the NBA or that groups ought to avoid him, there’s an excellent purpose to consider that he’ll discover a touchdown spot within the league ahead of later. Rivers began out his profession as head coach within the NBA with the Orlando Magic means again within the 1999-00 season then after 5 seasons with the crew, he went to the Boston Celtics, the place he mentored for 9 seasons, a stretch that included a title win in 2008. He would later coach for seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier than spending three seasons with the Sixers.
There are different open teaching vacancies within the NBA that simply opened, three of which we’re going to briefly talk about beneath.
3. Toronto Raptors
Various names have been linked to the teaching gig that’s at present open in Toronto. The Raptors had simply break up methods with Nick Nurse, who led the franchise to its first-ever NBA championship a couple of years in the past, and are on the lookout for a brand new route. Doc Rivers is obtainable, so from that standpoint alone plus his resume, the Raptors might kick the tires on the potential to rent the previous coach of a divisional rival. There’s additionally the intriguing angle floated by Marc J. Spears of ESPN, who reminded everybody of the hyperlink between Doc Rivers and Raptors vice chairman and president Masai Ujiri.
“Raptors vice chairman and president Masai Ujiri entered the NBA as an unpaid scout with the Orlando Magic who have been then coached by Doc Rivers. Surprise if that previous relationship and lengthy friendship can result in curiosity from the Raptors with Rivers for his or her head coach opening.”
2. Phoenix Suns
Are the Suns a perfect vacation spot for Doc Rivers? A veteran, championship-winning head coach like Rivers will all the time see his title related to a talent-laden squad that’s lacking a mentor corresponding to Phoenix, which simply parted methods with Monty Williams. The Suns’ firing of Williams got here as a shock to most individuals, however what’s accomplished is finished. Now, they’re on the lookout for their subsequent head coach rent because the begin of the Mat Ishia period, and Doc Rivers might be that splashy sideline acquisition for the franchise.
The Suns have unimaginable items prepared on the disposal of their new head coach. They nonetheless have the combo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, arguably the scariest 1-2 perimeter tandem within the league as we speak. There are rumors that Phoenix can be a possible vacation spot for former James Harden. Though the potential for hiring Doc Rivers is perhaps sufficient for the previous NBA MVP to squash that rumored thought, there’s additionally the notion that Rivers might be the one to unlock the total potential of this crew, however his previous playoff shortcomings.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
How about Doc Rivers as the subsequent head coach of the Bucks? The Bucks’ teaching gig ought to be very interesting for Rivers. For one, it’s acquired probably the greatest gamers on the planet within the type of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The thought of shifting on from a crew with Joel Embiid to 1 that has Antetokounmpo as its cornerstone sounds so attractive.
Milwaukee simply fired Mike Budenholzer following an embarrassing early exit from the 2023 NBA Playoffs, because the No. 1 seed within the Japanese Convention acquired taken out by the No. 8 seed Miami Warmth in simply 5 video games within the first spherical. Regardless of their huge playoff disappointment, the Bucks ought to stay a severe NBA title contender for years to return. The Bucks nonetheless have the pair of Antetokounmpo and Jrue Vacation. They may lose Khris Middleton within the offseason, but when he leaves, that can open up a major cap house to lure one other star to Milwaukee. In different phrases, Doc Rivers is not going to be missing in roster expertise ought to he grow to be the subsequent head coach of the Bucks.
