We are a little over ten games into the regular season, and the Philadelphia 76ers continue to shock the basketball community. Despite being in the middle of a minor losing skid, the Sixers' play has been one of the more impressive storylines in the league right now.
Between an offseason filled with drama and a depleted roster to open the season, the Sixers have still managed to trend in a positive direction. They currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-5.
Multiple factors can be attributed to the Sixers’ hot start to the season, but there is one that has gone overlooked. That said, it’s time to give head coach Doc Rivers the credit he deserves.
Some may not admit it, but the Sixers do not start the year the way they have if not for the future Hall of Fame coach. Not necessarily for his X’s and O’s, but his impact on the culture has been a catalyst in their early success.
The Sixers found themselves in headlines all summer, and not for good reasons. It did not take long for the stalemate between Ben Simmons and the team to get ugly, and it was covered on a national scale every step of the way.
An ugly public situation like that would have broken most locker rooms, but not the Sixers. Rivers has not only kept the group intact but brought them closer together. That does not happen without the work Rivers put in over the last two years to instill a new culture in Philadelphia.
Because of this newfound togetherness, the Sixers were able to take the NBA by storm. They have racked up multiple impressive wins and hung around with some of the top teams the league has to offer.
Due to unfortunate circumstances, Rivers has found himself with the services of all three members of the “big three.” In previous seasons, the Sixers had it in their mind games were a guaranteed loss when one of Simmons or Joel Embiid was out. Now, they give teams their best shot every night, no matter who is in the lineup.
Not only have the Sixers stayed afloat without their top trio, but find themselves at the top of multiple important statistics. As it currently stands, Philly is first in offensive rating (113.8), third in three-point percentage (37.6%), and fifth in net rating (5.4).
Having the league’s best offensive is an impressive feat in itself, let alone when playing multiple games without your top three players. Rivers has empowered players to take on larger roles in these circumstances, and the results have been amazing.
The Sixers have made selflessness with the ball a priority, and it has created an offense that attacks from multiple angles. Seven different Sixers are currently averaging 12 points per game or more. A balanced offense of this degree is a rarity in the NBA.
Some might argue coaches don’t have a large impact at the professional level, but that is not the case in Philadelphia right now. Rivers’ ability to lead a team through troubled times has been on full display.
The Sixers wasted little time recruiting Rivers when he became available in the summer of 2020, and situations like this are why. Even with some minor blemishes on his resume, he is still one of the best at what he does.
While the entire team deserves credit for how they’ve conducted themselves, it’s time to give Rivers his due for the work he’s done leading and creating a positive culture in Philadelphia.
Follow Us
Subscribe