Doc Rivers has never been afraid to call out the media during his career. The Philadelphia 76ers coach hasn't been shy on going off on the media if he feels that they're slighting him. It's just part of the coach's hard demeanor that endears him to some and makes him reviled by others.
After a brutal loss to the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers that saw the Sixers blow a 24-point lead, Rivers lashed out at reporters in his post-game interview. When asked whether coaching was the reason for their loss, he said: (via Ky Carlin)
“Would you ask Pop that question? No you wouldn’t. So don’t ask me that question. I’ve earned that.”
Doc Rivers was asked by @NBAKrell what about the loss could be attributed to coaching and he answered: “Would you ask Pop that question? No you wouldn’t. So don’t ask me that question. I’ve earned that.” #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) January 22, 2022
Doc Rivers is referring to Gregg Popovich, the legendary San Antonio Spurs coach. While the Sixers himself is a good coach in his own right, his achievements pale in comparison to Pop. Hinting that he deserves the same respect as the Spurs legend implies that they're on the same level, and that's simply not true.
The Sixers' inability to close out games where they have a huge lead has unfortunately been a theme throughout Rivers' tenure. Fans likely remember choking multiple times against the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the playoffs. For Rivers, this “choking” has been one of the biggest knocks in his career.
That tendency to choke in big situations is what leads fans to question his credentials. If Doc Rivers turns around his playoff misfortunes and lead the Sixers to a championship this season, perhaps fans will take his comparison to Gregg Popovich a little more seriously.
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