Fansided

5 reasons the Philadelphia 76ers can win the 2021 NBA championship

By Kristen Wong

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 05: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21, and Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the Toronto Raptors in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 101-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 05: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21, and Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the Toronto Raptors in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 101-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

5. Doc Rivers has plenty of playoff experience

They don’t give a coach a nickname for nothing.

When the 76ers were scrambling for a new identity, shifting away from their old school culture, Doc Rivers gave them one. Now, he’s at the helm of their playoff run this year and brings decades of player and coaching experience to a raring Philadelphia squad.

It seems like just yesterday the Los Angeles Clippers fired Rivers after squandering a 3-1 lead in the second round of playoffs last year, but to Rivers’ credit, he’s since turned Philadelphia into the table-leader of the Eastern Conference and carries an endless resume of credibility and winning culture that the revamped Sixers franchise needed this year.

Rivers played a combined 13 seasons on four different teams before starting his coaching career. He was the NBA coach of the year with the Orlando Magic in 2000, and he helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA title in 2008. That year, he defeated a Kobe-led Lakers team, so he already has experience facing star-studded opponents in the postseason. In his 21 seasons coaching three teams, he’s handled his fair share of Hall of Famers, and if anyone can lead Embiid and company to their first title in the modern era, it’s Doc.