NBA Rumors: James Harden Seen as 'Driving Force' in Doc Rivers' Firing as 76ers HC
There is reportedly some belief within the Philadelphia 76ers organization that superstar guard James Harden played a key role in the firing of head coach Doc Rivers this week.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, multiple members of Rivers' staff said they felt Harden was a "driving force" behind the coach's ouster.
This is despite the fact that the 33-year-old is reportedly expected to decline his player option for 2023-24 and become a free agent in search of a long-term deal either with the Sixers or another team.
Rivers spent three seasons as the Sixers' head coach, and while they were consistently among the top teams in the Eastern Conference during that time with a cumulative record of 154-82, they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs each time.
That included falling to the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series this season, which proved to be Rivers' final game as Philly's head coach.
Despite having the opportunity to finally get over the hump and reach the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sixers did not appear ready to play in Game 7, falling 112-88.
Harden is a 10-time All-Star who won three scoring titles and one NBA MVP Award during his nine-year run with the Houston Rockets.
After a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets, he was dealt to the Sixers last season for a trade package that included Ben Simmons.
Harden appeared in 21 regular-season games for the 76ers last season and then re-signed at a discounted price in an attempt to chase a championship.
While he took a back seat to NBA MVP Joel Embiid in the scoring department, he led the NBA with 10.7 assists per game and also averaged 21.0 points and 6.1 rebounds.
His overall playoff numbers looked solid on the surface as well with averages of 20.3 points, 8.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds, although he was highly inefficient, shooting just 39.3 percent from the field.
Harden also played poorly in the Sixers' Game 6 and 7 losses to the Celtics, going a combined 7-of-27 from the field for 22 points across those two contests.
That occurred at the same time rumors continued to swirl that Harden may want to return to Houston in free agency.
ESPN's Zach Lowe and Tim McMahon said this week on The Lowe Post that people within the Rockets organization expect him to sign with them.
Regardless of what the future holds for Harden, a coaching change was understandable since the Sixers likely don't have the financial means to secure a big trade or signing that shakes up the roster significantly.
A new voice on the sidelines may be the only way to shuffle the deck, and the 76ers reportedly have no shortage of options on that front.
Per Fischer, it is believed Philadelphia will choose from a group that includes Mike Budenholzer, Monty Williams, Nick Nurse, Mike D'Antoni, Frank Vogel and Sam Cassell.
If keeping Harden is a priority, D'Antoni could be the best option since Harden enjoyed the greatest success of his career under D'Antoni in Houston.
