Doc Rivers has given his candid ideas on he and James Harden’s relationship throughout his time as head coach of the Sixers.
Rivers was fired from the highest job after Philadelphia’s loss to Boston within the Eastern Conference Finals final season.
Earlier this yr, it was being reported that Harden may have even had a hand in Rivers’ firing, however these claims are but to verified.
Before he was let go, Doc coached Harden at Philly for a season and a half and has described their relationship as “neutral”.
“It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good. It was pretty much neutral,” Rivers mentioned on NBA Today. “It was an honest relationship at the end of the day. I was very honest. I really believe there’s ways you have to play to win and, obviously, I was never willing to compromise on that. It was a relationship of communication. I can tell you, we talked when we needed to talk all the time.”
Rivers has overtly spoken concerning the relationship earlier than, however none of it was very constructive.
“It was challenging, more because we were fighting two things—and not like visually fighting—it was James is so good at playing one way, and the way I believe you have to play to win, in some ways, is different,” Rivers instructed Bill Simmons final June.
It is obvious the dearth of chemistry between the 2 bled onto the court docket, since Philadelphia have been unable to make it previous the ECF for the third consecutive season.
Although, perhaps Harden was the one inflicting extra issues than Doc.
