For some reason, the Philadelphia 76ers just can’t get out of the drama stage. This time around, the culprit is former head coach Doc Rivers, who has found a new way to drag the franchise into the mud with his latest, ill-timed statements about Joel Embiid which has made the superstar look bad despite him not doing anything.
Recently, Rivers called Embiid the “most talented player he has ever coached”. The longtime tactician has clled the shots for a bunch of star-laden teams in the past, and him making that kind of distinction with Embiid is flattery at its peak. However, many lamented the ugly timing with which he dished out that statement especially with him currently coaching Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
Now, Giannis and the Bucks are at odds and seem to have finally made the mutual realization that their partnership would be much better off getting cut. Of course, Rivers’ comment on Embiid is definitely not the main reason for this ongoing fallout, but it could very well be the final straw into this unceremonious saga.
Joel Embiid and the 76ers suddenly get dragged into a mess thanks to Doc Rivers
Evaluating talent involves a subjective ponderance, so Rivers calling Embiid as the most talented player has ever coached is not the real issue here. It is the fact that he is technically still the man on the sidelines for a team technically led — for now — by a two-time MVP who now wants out of the franchise. Put simply, the statement comes off as disingenuous and/or tone-deaf.
People in Philly would definitely savor the fact that Embiid is held in such high regard, but the chances are strong that even them could be thrown off by Rivers’ actuations if they put themselves into the shoes of Bucks fans.
It is hard to fathom that there is even a need to say this, but current NBA head coaches should probably avoid stirring the drama themselves by making comparisons that could be taken as underhanded slights against the team they are leading.
Unfortunately, it seems like Rivers is in his head as of late, and the Bucks’ unenviable position is definitely making things worse. And somehow, Joel Embiid and the 76ers are suddenly drawing ire despite not even doing anything. Their former head coach set them up for this divisive debate, and though his intention may not have been malicious, it comes off as such given how things are going in Milwaukee.