In the NBA, teams need to keep the stars happy. For the Philadelphia 76ers, they currently serve the two young All-Stars, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Last year, the Sixers’ headquarters did not build around the two stars, and head coach Brett Brown seems to have lost his attention.
After going out for the first round, the Sixers moved on from Brown after seven seasons. During the review process for the next one, 76ers General Manager Elton Brand consulted with the two young stars to find out who they would both be more comfortable with. Finally, the Sixers finished with Doc Rivers.
So far, the two young Sixers stars are happy with the move. While Rivers has not been coaching the team since training camp began back on Dec. 1, Simmons and Embiid have had nothing but great things to say about the veterans leader.
On Saturday night, as the Sixers picked up their second win of the season against the Knicks, Embiid and Simmons both talked about their new head coach so far and outlined who he’s playing for. Similar rivers.
“It’s vocal [and] everyone listens, “Sixers center Joel Embiid said. He’s a great coach, even when it comes to X’s and O’s, and the plays he’s been doing. We took some stuff from last year, but the stuff it has been pulling at timeouts has worked so far. I mean, it’s been great. “
Embiid is already thriving in the Rivers system. In just two games this season, big man Philly has earned an average of 28 points in 32 minutes of action. While Embiid’s position this season, along with a new scope, deserves a lot of credit for its success so far, Embiid bought into the Rivers system, which allows it to thrive.
“He believes in us, he believes in everyone’s potential,” Simmons said of Rivers after the former head coach won Saturday’s 945th position. “He’s not going to lie to you and tell you to do things you can’t do. He’s telling me certain things like tonight; an example would be: ‘be sure, be aggressive, attack the edge . ‘And when I do, he praises me and lets me know that I’m doing a good job.’
While Rivers seems to be just serving his stars like a NBA head coach would normally be, Simmons made it clear that he doesn’t just play nice to satisfy the needs of the stars. When it ‘s time to be blunt, Simmons says Rivers has the ability to turn the tide and tell players what they don’t want to hear – but what they need to hear.
“On the other hand, it’s gonna keep you real,” Simmons continued. “If there are things you have to work on, those things [he sees] out there you won’t see, it will let you know. That’s all just getting better – helping each other get better. He does that with everyone, and that’s great. “
Rivers has only coached the Sixers for two games, so a lot can change over time. However, you can’t predict the future and right now everything matters. As long as Rivers is as it has been so far, he is likely to be on the right page with his two young All-Stars as they seem to be very fond of the coach. aca.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_