The Philadelphia 76ers had a chance to finish the Boston Celtics on Thursday night at home in Game 6 and advance to the Eastern Conference finals, but they weren’t able to do so.
The Celtics showed their experience by going into the Wells Fargo Center and defeating the Sixers, 95-86. The win means there will be a Game 7 on Sunday at the TD Garden.
If the Sixers lose Game 7, one has to assume there will be sweeping changes across the organization. This would be the third consecutive season Philadelphia was ousted from the semifinals, which means coach Doc Rivers’ job security will be questioned.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith hopped on “First Take” and said he believes the Sixers should keep Rivers even if they fall in Game 7:
We know he’s done a hell of a job, but the reality is, is that you got to win Game 6 on your home court after winning Game 5 in Boston. Everybody’s looking forward to you finally getting to a conference finals. They’re gonna bring up Doc Rivers’ record how this is his 16th Game 7, he’s lost nine of them, on at least four of occasions, he’s lost a 3-1 lead, they’re gonna bring up all of this stuff, and they’re going to use it as an excuse. If it’s me, and I’m owning the Philadelphia 76ers, I’m not letting go of Doc Rivers. I know the man’s a hell of a coach. I’m holding on to that brother, but I don’t know if they’re going to make that decision, and me personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if they looked at everybody. You gotta win Game 7 is basically what this comes down to. You’re the Philadelphia 76ers, you got to go back into Boston. Back into Boston and you got to replicate what you did in Game 5 not just save your season, but possibly to save your job.
Smith is right. Rivers has done a helluva job with this group, and he has made the correct adjustments even in this series. The Sixers are in a great position to contend for a title because Rivers has pushed the right buttons when the time calls for it.
Does Rivers have his faults? Absolutely. Everybody does. However, the job he has done in both the 2021-22 season and the 2022-23 season has been terrific amid everything that the Sixers have battled through.
Unfortunately, when considering the nature of this business, Rivers has a strong chance to be let go if Philadelphia can’t get it done in Game 7.
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