Insulting press conference sentence exposes Sixers coach

Two words from the 76ers’ biggest star should terrify Philadelphia’s coach — but his biggest problem is fans calling for his head.

Head coach Doc Rivers. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP.

Sixers coach Doc Rivers has sparked a Twitter storm over staggering claims made during his post-match press conference following his team’s elimination.

The 76er’ fate was sealed with a 99-90 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday after another Playoffs meltdown from the team’s biggest stars.

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Rather than own up to the 4-2 series disaster, Rivers appeared to brush off any worry about his job future.

In his first season, the team made it to the conference semi-finals before losing to the Atlanta Hawks.

The suggestion that the team wasn’t expected to do much this season has been too much for some Sixers fans.

Head coach Doc Rivers. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images.

Success was particularly demanded by a Philadelphia fan base that had endured a nightmare tanking re-build and years of miserable losses.

All that pain was supposed to be for the team to challenge for championships right now.

Then they added James Harden in the trade for Ben Simmons. The time to strike was right now.

It’s why the answers in Rivers press conference have irked so many fans.

“I don’t worry about my job. I think I do a terrific job and if you don’t then you should write it. I work my butt off to get this team here,” Rivers said.

"I don't worry about my job. I think I do a terrific job" pic.twitter.com/9G9beX325D

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 13, 2022

“When I first got here, no one picked us to be anywhere. And again this year, the same thing. If that’s how anyone feels, write it.

“Every time you’re wrong, should you lose your job? No. So, it’s the same thing. If you believe that, then go with it. I know what I did this year and I feel very good about that.”

Philadelphia sports radio host Jon Johnson said the elimination on Friday has the team back in “purgatory” — nowhere near the level they were supposed to be playing at.

There was an immediate demand from fans for Rivers to be sacked.

College basketball coach Jay Wright is the early fan favourite to replace him.

The term “Jay Wright” was trending in the United States on Twitter following the loss.

Doc Rivers is quickly rising up my list of least likable Philly sports people of my lifetime. He's arrogant, he takes no accountability, and he talks to Philly fans like we're morons. Can't wait til he's gone.

— James Seltzer (@JamesSeltzer) May 13, 2022

Has Doc Rivers improved the Sixers from where they were two seasons ago? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/VZGjBXNKgt

— theScore (@theScore) May 13, 2022

Jim Harden obviously embarassed himself tonight but good lord Doc Rivers

— Jackson Safon (@JacksonSafon) May 13, 2022

Rivers repeatedly said in the press conference the team needs to improve its “roster” and hinted change was necessary.

Now fans wait to see what the team will look like when they show up for pre-season training.

Meanwhile, Harden has also made some spectacular claims in his post-match interview.

He appeared to suggest Rivers was the reason for his second half meltdown where he took just two shots. He finished with 11 points for the game but did not score after half time.

“We run our offence, the ball just didn’t get back to me,” he said.

James Harden talks with head coach Doc Rivers. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

When asked if the coach runs plays to get him the ball, Harden snapped back: “Next question”.

They are the two words that should make Rivers nervous. If he in fact is, the 60-year-old isn’t showing it.

Rivers has now failed to make it past the second stage of the playoffs fin his last 10 seasons as an NBA coach.

Embiid finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but connected on just seven of 24 shots from the field.

Miami reached the conference finals for the second time in three seasons since Butler joined the team after the 2019 season — when the 76ers essentially opted to let him go as they put their eggs in the Ben Simmons basket.

A disgruntled Simmons was shipped to Brooklyn this season in exchange for Harden. But the three-time NBA scoring champion hasn’t shown the offensive form the 76ers were looking for to take some of the burden off Embiid and the 76ers haven’t made it past the second round since 2001.