Joel Embiid 'shocked' 76ers fired head coach Doc Rivers, team president admits

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The 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid was reportedly "shocked" to see the Philadelphia 76ers fire his head coach, Doc Rivers, on Tuesday. 

The first notion of his surprise came before the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday night, as Stephen A. Smith had sources within the organization tell him that Embiid, the NBA’s leading scorer in the regular season, was not too pleased with the decision.

"I am here to tell you right now, Joel Embiid wasn’t happy that Doc Rivers got fired," Smith said. "Not from everything that I’m hearing, and I worked in Philadelphia for 17 years, and I still know a lot of people within the Philadelphia 76ers organization. I ain’t guessing. I’m telling you."

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Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with head coach Doc Rivers during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. (G Fiume/Getty Images)

Reporters confronted 76ers team president Daryl Morey about Smith’s reporting on Wednesday during a press conference, and he confirmed Embiid’s thoughts on the matter. 

"They had a strong relationship. I have to make tough calls all the time with trades Joel was disappointed in…I think it’s natural to be very close with the people in the locker room. He was very close with the people in the locker room. He was very close with coach Rivers and was shocked with the change. It’s my job to help convince him that the new coach is someone he’ll have a great relationship with," Morey explained. 

Rivers’ firing comes after three straight seasons of losing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, this time coming at the hands