The indicated James Harden and Doc Rivers could not continue in the Sixers

Lto elimination of Sixers at the hands of the Celtics in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals in Philadelphia. And a lot, especially after wasting a 3-2 lead in the tie and the terrible image offered in the second half of the decisive match. The next few weeks can be moved in the franchise. After the KO was consummated, the disaster was personalized above all in two names, that of his coach, Doc Riversand that of one of its presumed stars, James Harden.

after the recent firings of Monty Williams and Mike Budenholzercoaches of the Suns and the Bucks, respectively, Rivers could be next although he doesn’t see it that way. His response was blunt when he was asked if he thought he would sit on the Sixers’ bench next season: “Yeah, I think I’ve got two years left,” said.

With Rivers, sterile improvement of the Sixers

Rivers arrived in Philadelphia after the NBA bubble in the winter of 2020, and in his three seasons his team’s balance has improved: 49 victories in 2020-21, 51 in 2021-22 and 54 this seasonthe most wins for the Sixers since the 2001 season, when Allen Iverson he won the NBA MVP award and led the 76ers to their last Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. He has already rained since then.

It has been seen in recent weeks that the coaching business is difficult, I am glad that I am not the one who should make these decisions. In my opinion the coach has been fantastic and has done a great job

Joel Embiid (Sixers player)

The coach has the support of the great star of the team Joel Embiidcurrent NBA MVP, who has not gotten off scot-free either after lowering his averages alarmingly in these playoffs. “Our relationship is fine”, secured after removal. And when asked if he should continue on the bench, andHe threw balls out and some flowers to his still coach: “It has been seen in recent weeks that the coaching business is difficult, I’m glad I’m not the one who has to make these decisions. In my opinion the coach has been fantastic and has done a great job“.

But the cold numbers that he accumulates in his career in the playoffs do not exactly guarantee his continuity. Rivers already has 10 losses in seventh games (6-10) as head coach, double the number of any other coach in NBA history according to ESPN Stats & Information. and has lost five seventh games consecutively. Bad luck or inability to drive in those crucial crashes?

I’m disappointed, I thought we had the right group. Nobody was betting on us, but we did believe that we could win. Our boys didn’t care about all the attacks they got

Doc Rivers (Sixers Coach)

Rivers also has lost in the second round of the playoffs six times since leaving the Celtics after the 2012-2013 season, and hasn’t reached the conference finals since he did with Boston in 2012. After this new elimination he could not hide his frustration: “We played very well all year and this loss absolutely diminishes in some way what we did this season. “I’m disappointed, I thought we had the right group. I really did. Nobody was betting on us, but we did believe that we could win. Our guys didn’t care about all the attacks they got. They thought they could still win this series.”

Harden made up a bad semifinal with two great games

The other great signaled by the KO of the Sixers is James Harden. Their averages in these semifinals (22+6,6+8) They were similar to the ones he signed in the regular season (21+6,1+10,7), but before the Celtics he disappointed again. He made up his numbers with two star performances in the first match (45+1+6) and in the fourth (42+8+9) settled with victory for the Sixers. But he faltered in the second (12)the third (16)the fifth (17)and especially in the sixth (13 points with 4/16 tc) and the seventh (9 points with 3/11 tc). Only seven baskets in the last two games, which ended with defeats of their own. Improper numbers of someone who is considered a star.

This summer, Harden can opt out of his $35.6 million player option for the next season turn it down and become an unrestricted free agent. He is not clear what he will do: “I haven’t even thought about that”, said. And when asked what she hoped his next opportunity would be like after free agency, she left his future up in the air: “I just want to have a chance to compete.”

I haven’t even thought about what I’ll do this summer. I just want a chance to compete

James Hardcen (Sixers player)

In Philadelphia’s four losses in this series, Harden made 12/55 shooting from the field, including 3/24 from 3-point range.. And in the three victories of his team he signed 37/61 tc. He tried to justify his dismal Game 7 by praising the Celtics’ defense: “They did a very good job.” And there was a hint of self-criticism with his team: “Robert Williams was in the paint, do you know what I mean? We made him pay before, but then we moved away from what was working and everything slowed down.”