The Sixer Sense
Fansided

4 Offseason tasks the Philadelphia 76ers should already be working on

By Jonathan Geib

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles up the court in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles up the court in the second half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on April 23, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Coaching Contingency Plan

Doc Rivers has been the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers since the 2020-21 NBA season and the team has relatively underperformed. In Doc’s first season as coach, the team went 49-23 and secured the 1st overall seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs. Following a gentleman’s sweep (4-1) of the Washington Wizards, the Sixers faced the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks series is one of the most infamous in franchise history as the team blew large leads and Ben Simmons passed up a dunk that was the start of the end of his time in Philly. This loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals was even more shocking because Brett Brown had gotten the team to the same round the prior year and the expectations of the 2020-21 Sixers were sky-high after securing the 1-seed. The Sixers have not been back to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001 with Allen Iverson, and this team was supposed to be the one to end that drought.

In 2021-22, the Sixers finished the regular season record with a 51-31 record which was good for 4th in the Eastern Conference. Again, the Sixers flamed out in the Eastern Conference semis in a 4-2 series loss to the Miami Heat. The playoff ceiling was hit again and the barrier could not be broken. I completely understand that Brett Brown likely could not continue coaching this team as he was the coach during “The Process Era”, but Doc has not surpassed the playoff success of Brown, which is precisely what he was brought to Philly to do.

With the Sixers likely to finish in the top 3 of the Eastern Conference this season, Doc’s regular season success is undeniable. But if Rivers cannot get this team to at a minimum the Eastern Conference Finals this season, he will undoubtedly be on the Hot Seat come the offseason. Coaching is key to getting the best out of players and Doc has been unable to do that when the lights are brightest. There is serious talent on this Sixers roster and if they come up short in three consecutive playoffs, it is time for Doc to go.

Morey and Brand should be planning a coaching contingency plan as we speak because the head coach could be a factor in Harden’s re-signing. It is also better to get the jump on other teams that will be in search of a head coach this summer.