Philadelphia 76ers should pursue Doc Rivers as their next head coach

Doc Rivers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Doc Rivers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers need to update their shortlist of candidates for their head coaching vacancy.

It was recently indicated that the Philadelphia 76ers only have two names on their shortlist on candidates to become the team’s next head coach. However, that could and should change with a major shift in the coaching landscape. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Doc Rivers is no longer the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Currently, the Sixers have Tyronn Lue and Mike D’Antoni in their sights as their next head coach. However, while both are accomplished in their own right, it would be foolish if general manager Elton Brand ignored the possibility of hiring Rivers.

Why Rivers makes sense as the Sixers’ next head coach.

Rivers has an NBA championship on his resume with the Boston Celtics back in 2008 and has an overall record of 943-681 as a head coach. He’s also made the playoffs in 16 out of the 21 seasons he’s been an NBA head coach.

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At each one of those stops, he’s coached some high profile players. With the Magic, he coached the like of Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen are the major players he coached when he was with the Celtics. As the head coach of the Clippers, he has coached the likes of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.

Not only is Rivers an accomplished coach, but he knows how to coach big-name players. He can also adjust his system based on the players that he has available. He’s the biggest name available and the most accomplished as well. It would be foolish for Philly to not even consider him as their next head coach.

With Rivers becoming a coaching free agent, he could end up being the biggest acquisition the Philadelphia 76ers could make this offseason.