Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers fired on Tuesday after making a third straight exit from the second round of the playoffs. This was no shock after losing two games in a row to the Celtics, including a Game 7 blowout. James Harden had a bit of a unfavorable comments about Rivers and it turned out that the time of the head championship coach was over in Philadelphia.
The Sixers are the third title hoping to remove their coach in the off-season, and there is no shortage of top names in the market. Philadelphia wants to take the next step, and the job will be attractive no matter what Harden’s condition. Current MVP Joel Embiid will return and Daryl Morey will do everything in his power to create a competitive team around him.
The new head coach will be a huge part of this, so who should the Sixers pick to lead their team?
Ranking of 8 coach candidates for the Philadelphia 76ers vacancy
8. Sam Cassell
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN submitted six names who would be involved in the search immediately after Rivers was fired, and Cassell was the only one who lacked experience as an NBA head coach. The 53-year-old played in the league for 15 years and has been an assistant coach since 2009, so he certainly knows the NBA.
Cassell has spent the past three years as an assistant coach for the Sixers under Doc Rivers and has been with the legendary coach for nine seasons in a row, beginning with their Clippers days. The 6’3 defenseman won three championships as a player and was an All-Star in 2004.
The Philadelphia 76ers know Sam Cassell well. Tyrese Maxey is a big fan and Cassell is credited make the most of your guards. He considers himself a strong candidate if the Sixers go with their first coach.
