Philadelphia 76ers: 3 benefits to Doc Rivers as head coach

The Philadelphia 76ers have a new coach. What are the positives?

The Philadelphia 76ers made fairly quick work of their search for a new head coach, becoming the second team to fill that position this offseason. Doc Rivers was the choice for Philadelphia, infusing the Sixers’ locker room with respectability and cachet.

While not everyone is a fan of Rivers — I have voiced my objections in the past — he is a good coach, and should embrace the challenge of making the Sixers’ puzzle pieces fit. For all the criticism he took at the end of his Clippers tenure, it was Rivers who elevated LA to relevancy outside the Lakers’ shadow. He can do plenty of good.

Rivers’ career record of 943-681 is Hall of Fame worthy. He won a championship with Boston in 2008, and will now have the chance to help Philadelphia surpass his former team in the Atlantic Division. In terms of reputation and league-wide respect, not many coaches can touch Rivers. That surely factored into ownership’s decision.

Is Rivers the most exciting hire? Probably not. The flaws that brought about Brett Brown’s demise have been worryingly common throughout Rivers’ career as a head coach. With that said, Brown was not a bad coach, and roster improvements could give Rivers a better hand to work with. If the front office puts the Sixers in a position to compete, Rivers is capable of getting them where they need to go.

Here are some positives to the Rivers signing.