Josh Smith Calls Out Doc Rivers Following the 76ers Exit From the NBA Playoffs

Josh Smith is not a fan of 76ers head coach Doc Rivers and he let the world know it. Smith took to social media following the 76ers loss to the Hawks in Game 7 of their playoff matchup. 

Rivers began to face criticism following the game especially around his star point guard Ben Simmons who was a no show during the series. Smith however, was Rivers harshest critic and he would sound off on his former coach. 

Josh Smith roasting Doc Rivers… pic.twitter.com/HD6rUwBMAv

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 21, 2021

Smith hasn’t played in the Association since 2018 and once played for Rivers back in 2016 as a member of the Clippers. He would only play 32 games with Los Angeles before being shipped to the Rockets during the 2015/2016 season. 

Ben Simmons Was a No-Show During the Series

While Smith is openly attacking Rivers for his lack of in-game decisions, Simmons was a complete non-factor during the series. Simmons was especially a non-factor during the fourth quarter.

Rivers was vocal about Simmons performance following the series loss. A reporter asked Rivers if Simmons could be a point guard for a championship team and Rivers said, “I don’t know the answer to that right now.”

“I don’t know the answer to that right now.”

-Doc Rivers after being asked if Ben Simmons could be a point guard on a championship team. pic.twitter.com/rw51V7rkRE

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 21, 2021

Despite his comments being made following a season ending loss, Rivers doesn’t sound confident in Simmons. His lack of confidence has already led to speculation the 76ers could trade Simmons this offseason. 

The 76ers do intend to work with Simmons and help him with get to the next level. 

Doc Rivers on Ben Simmons this offseason:

“I know exactly what we wanna do. I’m very bullish on Ben still but there is work and Ben will be willing to do it … there are areas that he can fix quickly that will take him to another level.” pic.twitter.com/smizgYrz03

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 21, 2021

“I know exactly what we wanna do. I’m very bullish on Ben still but there is work and Ben will be willing to do it … there are areas that he can fix quickly that will take him to another level,” said Rivers. 

Conclusion

Smith took to social media following the 76ers loss and blasted his former coach. Meanwhile, his former coach blasted his point guard for being a no-show in the playoffs. 

The 76ers head coach and his team choked to the Hawks during this series. This season held promise for the 76ers and the bottom came completely out from them against Atlanta. 

Simmons will take a lot of heat for his performance during the playoffs but Rivers is at the helm of another early playoff exit. Smith made sure he let the basketball world know on social media. 

Doc Rivers has now blown three 3-1 leads, one 3-2 lead, one 2-0 lead, and lost Game 7 at home four times (five if you count the bubble)

— Mike Prada. (PRAY-duh) (@MikePradaNBA) June 21, 2021

“Yeah Doc Rivers, you talked all that sh** about Paul George and how Tyronn Lue is gonna have the same offense. Shut your bum ass up man, your no in-game adjustments havin’ ass, man,” said Smith

Lue is still in the playoffs coaching the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals against the Suns. 

It will remain to be seen what will happen in Philadelphia following the 76ers choke job. 76ers general manager Daryl Morey will have some decisions to make regarding his roster in the weeks to come. He will have to make a big decision on Simmons and whether to trade him or keep him. 

In addition to Simmons, there will be speculation that Morey could move on from Rivers. It’s highly unlikely due to the financial comment owed to Rivers by the 76ers. However, Rivers was hired before Morey took the GM role with the team.

Could the 76ers trade Rivers to a team who could use a head coach? Rivers last won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics back in 2008. The last I checked, new head of basketball operations Brad Stevens hasn’t filled the vacancy on the bench. 

Could Stevens pull off his second biggest trade of the offseason and acquire Rivers from the 76ers? 

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– Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique on Twitter)