Hiring Dave Joerger was a good call by Doc Rivers and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Like Brett Brown before him, the Philadelphia 76ers new head coach Doc Rivers has had some high-profile assistant in the past. Tom Thibodeau, Lawrence Frank, Sam Cassell, and Tyron Lue to name a few. As he starts his tenure with the Sixers, Rivers wasted little time in adding a big name to his staff in Philly.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Rivers has hired Dave Joerger to his assistant coaching staff. Per Wojnarowski (Woj), Joerger was interviewed for the Indiana Pacers head coaching vacancy before accepting the position with the 76ers.
Joerger was a candidate for Philly’s head coach at one point according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (subscription required). It’s not surprising that once Rivers was hired, the franchised brought in Joerger as an assistant. Joerger’s resume makes him a great hire for the Sixers.
Joerger is a positive for the Sixers.
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One important aspect to consider is knowing what type of regard Rivers holds Joerger in. Rivers spoke on Woj’s podcast about how hard it was to coach against Joerger back when Joerger was in charge of the Sacramento Kings.
Joerger has seen success as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Kings. He’s has had an overal record of 245-247 and has three playoff appearances with the Grizzlies. He’s coached a defensive team like the Grizzles as well as a fast pace team like the Kings. The combination of thoese two styles is what the 76ers should aim for this season so he fits into the Sixers in that regard.
He’s not a perfect coach, but his ability to adapt to his personal is a stregnth that the Philadelphia 76ers desparetly need. He’s a strong assistant that Rivers can lean on moving forward.