The 2023 NBA playoffs have many teams fighting their hearts out to survive in the postseason. Among those teams, the LA Clippers have shown their will to keep their season afloat, after a surprising win against the Phoenix Suns in the first game of the playoffs. However, the Clippers fans remember the days when these kinds of performances weren’t surprising for them. Almost a decade ago, the LA Clippers were a well-respected team in the NBA, that gave many heartwarming memories to their fans. However, their former coach, Doc Rivers, has come with a rather surprising statement, riling up his former players.

Doc Rivers’ legend was established when he finally ended the Boston Celtics’ 22-year drought for the NBA title. Following that, he spent a long time with the Clippers, in hopes of performing the same magic with the LA side. Unfortunately, the legendary coach had to leave the side in 2020. However, three years later, Rivers’ comments on his Clippers squad didn’t align with the hopes that others assumed he had during his time in LA.

Former NBA stars react to Doc Rivers’ surprising comments

Back when Rivers was the talk of the town in LA, the Clippers fans had a lot of hopes from the legendary coach. It was revealed in a recent conversation that Rivers didn’t fulfill the hopes of fans and the players.

In a recent episode of NBA Today, the 61-year-old mentioned how his Clippers team was not a champion team. According to him, the team had more issues than solutions in the squad.

“I’m not trying to take anything away from that [Clippers] team, but that team was never going to win when you look back at it,” said Rivers. He added, “We just didn’t get along well enough as a group, and you can’t win without cooperation. That’s the only way you can win.”

These statements hurt many, including some players from the Rivers-Clippers era- JJ Reddick and Jamal Crawford. Recently, the duo sat down to have a conversation about many things, including Rivers’ controversial statements on their beloved squad. When Crawford mentioned his problems with the lack of accountability in Rivers’ statements, Reddick agreed to Crawford’s assessment.

?”…That[lack of accountability] kinda messed me up too,” said Reddick. He added, ” because I feel like? I know I have, and when we[Clippers players] have talked about this publicly? Everybody I’ve talked to about it has kind of owned their own mistakes?and then to not get any of that like accountability from him and the interesting part is he’s talking about players not getting along? and he was bought in? Doc’s reputation was like as a personality manager.”

The legendary coach’s statements evidently didn’t sit well with the Clippers squad. Moreover, Rivers mentioning how the 76ers squad is more of a champion team like the ’08 Celtics than the Clippers, rubbed salt into their wounds.

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Rivers have been coaching the Philadelphia 76ers since 2020, and the coach seems very confident of their chances, more than ever.

Can Philly grab a ring for the first time in 40 years?

Doc Rivers has made the Philadelphia 76ers a force to be reckoned with. The Philly side has been exceptional this season, alongside James Harden, and the 2023 NBA MVP contender, Joel Embiid. Additionally, the coach believes that this team might take him to his second NBA ring at the end of the season. Such a belief system is essential for the team’s success.?

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Their playoff games have also been as smooth as expected. The 76ers lead 2-0 against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round with comfortable scorelines. Many believe that the team might just sweep the NY side on their way to the next round.

Do you think Doc’s statements were fair? Can Philly finally win their ring? Please let us know in the comments below.