76ers Joel Embiid Discreetly Criticizes Former Head Coach Doc Rivers

Joel Embiid is no longer playing under Doc Rivers, who lost his position as head coach following a disappointing 2022–2023 campaign. Embiid made a sly jab at his previous coach, Rivers, when discussing his experience playing under coach Nick Nurse.

76ers Joel Embiid, Discreetly Criticizes Former Head Coach Doc Rivers

The Sixers’ new head coach, Nick Nurse, is pushing more ball movement. Embiid has been an isolated player in the post and above the break in the past. The Sixers alternated between executing isolation plays for James Harden and Embiid throughout the previous season.

Nurse previously spent five seasons as the Toronto Raptors coach and helped the club win a championship in 2019. Embiid seemed to be pleased with his new coach’s strategy. Regarding your experience playing under Nurse and sharing the ball more, Embiid showered high praise on Nurse.

“I think I’ve always wanted to play that way,” Embiid told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I never liked just being an iso player. I don’t think that’s the right way to play, and I don’t think that’s the right way to win. So I like the system… It isn’t all about me, like today there were a couple of passes. Guys weren’t expecting it, and I’m telling them, I’m like, ‘When you cut, you got to cut hard. You got to cut to mean it. And you got to be ready to receive the ball.’”

Considering the coaching change, Embiid’s remarks suggest that he is not happy with playing under Rivers. The offensive burden on Embiid’s shoulders, which may hinder him, may be one of the several causes of his annoyance. The big man for the Philadelphia 76ers has had injury struggles over the past several seasons.

Embiid has, however, made no secret of his want to capture a title. Basketball that emphasizes teamwork is a component of the current success formula. Despite Steph Curry being a part of the starting lineup, even the Golden State Warriors value unselfish ball movement. Nurse’s system may take some time for the Sixers to get used to. In addition, they will have to handle Harden’s trade request circumstance.

Doc Rivers missed the chance to take advantage of having a ball distributor like Harden and a scoring machine like Embiid on the court. Maybe Embiid wouldn’t have as many strenuous chores during the season under Nurse, protecting him from injury. The 76ers will perform better in the postseason with Embiid well-rested.

 

 

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