(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
After another second-round elimination in the NBA playoffs last year, the Philadelphia 76ers decided to make some changes, starting with the firing of veteran head coach Doc Rivers.
Even though Rivers has an impressive resume of coaching in this league, it seemed as though the team had tuned him out, with his biggest critic potentially being superstar guard James Harden, who seemed like he never saw eye-to-eye with him last season.
With the 76ers now bringing in Nick Nurse to be Rivers’ successor and Harden hoping to get traded before the start of the upcoming season, the one-time NBA champion head coach spoke about his relationship with the former NBA MVP.
In an interview with Malika Andrews of ESPN, Rivers admitted he had sort of a neutral relationship with Harden during their time together in Philadelphia.
“It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good, it was pretty much neutral.”
Doc spoke on his relationship with James Harden during his time with the 76ers. pic.twitter.com/hxgcQqzo8Y
— ESPN (@espn) October 11, 2023
With Rivers saying the relationship wasn’t bad or good, it’s uncertain exactly how he felt about coaching Harden, but clearly, the two were like oil and water in Philadelphia, which likely helped lead to the situation the team is in now.
Now that Rivers has committed to being a commentator during NBA games for ESPN next season, the real question is what will happen with Harden moving forward, as there hasn’t seemed to be any traction on his trade request, even though he wants to play for the Los Angeles Clippers.
At this point, there’s no telling what might happen in Philadelphia with Harden, as he could get moved at the last minute or end up as it did with Ben Simmons, where there is a waiting game during the season.
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