One-time NBA champion head coach Doc Rivers was a finalist for Phoenix’s head coach position, according to Shams Charania. The sun, though, should pass.
Rivers, who 76ers get fired after the conference semi-final loss to Boston, clearly not an upgrade over Monty Williams, who Phoenix eliminated after Denver toppled the Suns in the second round.
Rivers doesn’t fit into the NBA today, and his playing record is terrible aside from winning the championship with Boston in 2008.
Former NBA player Rasheed Wallace, a four-time NBA All-Star champion, recently weighed in on Rivers’ shortcomings as a coach.
“He doesn’t adjust,” Wallace said, who played under Rivers with the Celtics during the 2009–10 season. “It was just being in the dressing room with him for that one season. He depends on the players to make those adjustments. [alone].”
According to SBNation, in the post-season, Rivers’ win rate was 32.7% (16-33) too bad as his team had three wins in a streak. His teams have taken a 3-1 lead (a feat no other coach has done more than once), four times have taken a 3-2 lead (including a game against the Celtics at this season) and lost Game 7 at his home four times.
Given these shortcomings, it’s inconceivable that Rivers continues to be considered for any head coach position – especially one as promising as Phoenix’s.
Beyond the Sun, Joe Vardon of The Athletic reports that an unnamed NBA executive has suggested that Rivers could be a “sleepy candidate” for the Milwaukee Bucks.
There’s no point in giving Rivers the keys to a franchise featuring superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) or Kevin Durant (Suns) and Devin Booker (Suns).
If history repeats itself, as often happens with Rivers, one can expect at least one playoff to fall, possibly several if either of those teams hire him. That’s why Phoenix and Milwaukee should avoid this Doc.
