Doc Rivers Returns to Philadelphia: 76ers Fans Give Chilly Reception as Bucks Dominate
Philadelphia, PA – It was a chilly reception for Doc Rivers as he returned to Philadelphia, eight months after being dismissed as the coach of the 76ers. The Milwaukee Bucks, Rivers’ new team, dominated the game with a 119-98 victory over the Sixers. Despite the boos from the crowd, Rivers had nothing but positive takeaways from his tenure with the Sixers.
Rivers, who went 154-82 as Philadelphia’s coach, expressed his satisfaction with his overall performance but admitted his disappointment in not being able to go further in the playoffs. “I wish we could have had a chance to have Joel [Embiid] healthy in the playoffs,” Rivers said. He praised Embiid for becoming an MVP and acknowledged that under his leadership, the team established itself as a championship contender.
Reflecting on his time with the Sixers, Rivers acknowledged the challenges he faced, including the James Harden trade rumors and the Ben Simmons situation. He recognized that some things were within his control while others were not. Ultimately, Rivers emphasized that winning a title is the ultimate goal and without achieving that, he would never be completely satisfied.
Once the game began, it was clear that the Bucks were in control. The Sixers, playing their 11th straight game without Embiid, struggled to keep up. Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for an impressive 82 points or assists out of Milwaukee’s 119 points. Brook Lopez also contributed with five blocks. The Bucks scored 69 points in the first half, their highest scoring half since Rivers took over as coach.
Antetokounmpo expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their improved defense and overall effort. “We’re feeling like ourselves,” he said. “Playing hard, moving the ball, and defending better. We’re just playing hard.”
Before the game, Rivers was asked about the Sixers’ Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics in last year’s conference semifinals. While he admitted that they had a chance to win, he emphasized the progress they made as a team. “It just tells you how close we were,” Rivers said. He also mentioned that Embiid was not at 100% during that series, acknowledging that injuries can have a significant impact on the outcome of games.
Despite the chilly reception from Philadelphia fans, Antetokounmpo expressed his support for Rivers. He praised the coach’s ability to communicate effectively and keep things simple in the locker room. “I love him,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s been incredible playing for him.”
Overall, while Rivers may not have received a warm welcome from the Philadelphia crowd, he remains focused on his new role with the Bucks. With a 5-7 record under his belt, Rivers is determined to lead his team to success and make a lasting impact in Milwaukee.
