Doc Rivers Criticized for James Harden, 76ers' Lackluster Game 2 Showing vs. Heat

Doric SamMay 5, 2022

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at FTX Arena on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Philadelphia 76ers once again had a subpar performance against the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Wednesday at FTX Arena.

As the Sixers trudged their way to a 119-103 loss to fall to a 2-0 series deficit, many were vocally critical of head coach Doc Rivers for his handling of the game.

Isaac K. Lee @IsaacKLee
Doc Rivers trick y’all man, he just shouting around doing nothing

Overtime @overtime
Bro just violating Doc Rivers 😭 <a href="https://twitter.com/BamonteAdebayo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BamonteAdebayo</a> <a href="https://t.co/2FEYNP5CuH">pic.twitter.com/2FEYNP5CuH</a>

MarkJonesESPN @MarkJonesESPN
<a href="https://twitter.com/KendrickPerkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KendrickPerkins</a>..brah..I know you ride hard for Doc Rivers..especially because he used to call the first play of most games for you in Boston👌🏽😂🏀Respect. <br>But my Dade County Goons on 8th St..all the way to Liberty City ready to set off that 💨 smoke detector.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HEATCulture?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HEATCulture</a>

The Big OG said SIXERS IN 4! GUARANTEED! STAMPED! @OHGEENiCK
Miami + The Refs + Doc Rivers vs the Philadelphia 76ers.

Noah Terranova (The Coach Titan) @TerranovaNoah
Yes Doc Rivers does challenge his players. He challenges them by making the game more difficult because of his coaching

Noah Terranova (The Coach Titan) @TerranovaNoah
Tobias Harris at the 5. Doc Rivers needs to get his CDL, I’m SICK of this

The Sixers wasted a 34-point performance by rising guard Tyrese Maxey. The 21-year-old was Philadelphia's only bright spot as he continued fighting until finally getting pulled in the fourth quarter. Tobias Harris had 21 points, and James Harden had 20 points with nine assists, but both of them shot poorly against Miami's defense.

Harden was not impervious to the wrath of social media as his disappearing act in the postseason continued. He's scored under 25 points in 12 straight playoff games.

Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
Right now Tyrese Maxey looks like more of a "max" player than the guy wearing the James Harden jersey.

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
$60M+ for James Harden five years from now when he's 37 is a horrifying thought. Better hope those reports that he'll take less than a max deal are true.

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Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
James Harden wouldn't have been as open to joining a super team in BKN if he felt he was still capable of carrying a team as he did in HOU. He pursued a partnership with Joel Embiid when the Nets were asking too much of him. He knew Father Time was creeping. Happens to everybody.

Five Reasons Sports @5ReasonsSports
First "overrated" chant of the series, for James Harden

Jared Wade @Jared_Wade
Thinking about giving James Harden $270M in 2022 is wild behavior

kingtisemedia @kingtisemedia
James Harden is a third option at this point in his career. He needs to be in a Chris Paul type role for a team. He’s pass first, teams shouldn’t even be defending him to score anymore. He’s looking to facilitate.

While playing without star center Joel Embiid has certainly been a challenge, the Sixers roster is good enough to put up more of a fight against the Heat. But as Rivers continues making questionable decisions and Harden continues to struggle, Philadelphia won't have much of a chance in this series.