Sixers coach Doc Rivers is responding to criticism about having center Joel Embiid still on the court late in Game 6 against the Raptors with a 29-point lead, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Embiid was struck by an inadvertent elbow from Pascal Siakam, resulting in an orbital fracture and concussion that has him sidelined indefinitely.
“It wasn’t four minutes left and 29 points,” Rivers said. “He scored the bucket [at the 4:10 mark] to make it 29. And in the playoffs, just so everyone knows, so we can not talk about blame and talk about winning this next series.”
After a reporter interrupted to ask, “So why was he in?” Rivers answered, “Because everyone was in. The other team had all their guys in, too. The last five minutes of the game, we made the run the last minute … right before that. That’s when we got up 29. After Joel made the shot and did the [celebratory] airplane, if you watched the game, I turned and said, ‘I’m calling a timeout on the next possession.’”
Rivers also pointed out that in the playoffs, virtually every team leaves its starters in until about three or four minutes are left, regardless of the score.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Embiid’s absence will result in James Harden becoming the focal point of the offense, Pompey adds. Harden averaged 19.0 points and 10.2 assists per game in the first-round series against Toronto, but Rivers indicated he’ll be asked to do more scoring until Embiid returns. “We are going to play more of a James-dominant offense than we have because we have to,” Rivers said. “We’re going to space the floor more. We’re going to play in space more.”
- Raptors guard Fred VanVleet said the hip flexor that forced him to miss time in the playoffs shouldn’t linger into the offseason, tweets Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. VanVleet was also dealing with a bone bruise on his knee that happened before the All-Star break. He indicated that he’s interested in discussing an extension with the team this summer (Twitter link from Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports).
- Celtics center Robert Williams has been doing extra conditioning work since returning from knee surgery, coach Ime Udoka tells Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). Udoka also said the wrap that Al Horford is wearing on his left thumb and hand is just a result of “the regular nicks and bruises from the playoffs.” (Twitter link)
Look forward to Robert Williams starting for the Celtics. He is an amazing talent!
Harden being the focal point of the offense means an L.
Embiid is one of the most dominant players in the NBA. The only thing Harden can dominate these days is a cheeseburger.
Harden dominates the local strip clubs too
Maxey is the focal point.
Maxey being the focal point is also an L.
Need 50 point Harden at least once to have a chance in this series. Tobias and Niang will need to play the 5 for some run. Going to need Maxey to avg at least 25 as well. If they can get Harden and Maxey at 25/game, Tobias at 20 then they may have a shot. Otherwise it’s a wrap and start plotting the offseason whether its double down on Harden, deal for Beal, all in and then some on D Mitchell, etc…
Someone gets hurt on this team every playoffs it seems and it tanks their playoff run hard to get fully invested when you know it’s going to happen regardless of load management. This year Embiid, Last year it was Ben’s fish taco that got hurt. 2020 I think Ben had surgery and Embiid had a hand issue. 2019 Embiid had a knee issue.
Embiid can’t be replaced
All 7 other playoffs teams have home court advantage over 76ers
This is not the 76ers season Focus on summer free agency
The Sixers have a better road record than at home, so I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make
Hm great
No one agreeing with criticismbof Doc, trying to win
All I gotta say about Harden is here:
3 mins of truth
link to youtube.com
Think Doc is shifting blame here, shocking btw. The reason he left him in is because of all the 3-0 memes and criticism. 6ers revolve around Embiid. Ensuring his health should have been top priority once a win looked like a lock and yet if somehow Raptors came back and forced a game 7 Doc knows he couldn’t escape the critiques, the result being leaving Embiid in until up by 30. Rivers selfishness will continue to plague this team, especially if another playoff collapse is in store.
@Washington I have to largely agree with you on that. Doc’s trying to protect his reputation
Embiid Injury
Process
Doc Rivers made good decision to keep Embiid playing on garbage time
Result
Doc Rivers made a huge mistake
Doc is talking about process
Not result
Trust the results.
Truth is he was already hurt. He shouldn’t have been in. But it’s always easy to criticize afterwards. The blame game is for stories and reporters. Players play and writers write about it. So write all you want and keep watching.
“It wasn’t four minutes left and 29 points,” Rivers said. “He scored the bucket [at the 4:10 mark] to make it 29.“
Because there being 4:10 left instead of 4:00 justifies leaving Embiid in. You can’t make this stuff up.
Doc is pathetic. Rarely do you see a head coach as thin-skinned and lacking in accountability as him. And don’t think the players don’t see that. When the guy leading you and barking out orders fails to take responsibility for his actions, why should the players buy into his predictable offensive sets and lack of in-game adjustments?
Wow… this very moment…2:12am… May 1st, 2022. The very moment I lost a lil respect for Doc Rivers. Be dammed your Knick affiliation!!! Though Thou art ith a fool!!. Really, 29 point lead wasn’t safe with 10 minute left? I can tolerate your win loss record and see context in cases. But how YOU handle this scrutiny and say some of the stupidest things ever is inexcusable.
You made the comment at 2:13, get your facts straight
Seems that a lead of 29 with 4:00 is a sure thing for Doc… now a lead of 27 with 4:10 not quite so… SMH!
Siakims illegally thrown elbow to the MVP’S face was the blame. Not doc.
If you can’t protect a mid 20s lead with your bench squad then maybe you shouldn’t be a head coach. Maybe thats why he only has 1 title and that was with a loaded roster. If Sixers gets bounced then Rivers need to get fired. Also Elton Brand needs to be fired to. This bench is atrocious.