Rivers, Harden at the Center of Sixers’ Murky Future After Latest Playoff Exit

Following the disappointment of another second-round elimination at the hands of the Celtics, question marks surround some of Philly’s biggest names.

Joel Embiid wants to run it back.

“We got an unfinished job,” Embiid said.

Doc Rivers says this team deserves another shot.

“I believe that wholeheartedly,” Rivers said.

James Harden feels the 76ers have a higher ceiling.

“We’re a really good team,” Harden said. “We were a couple shots away from being in the Eastern Conference finals.”

In the aftermath of another second-round flameout, the Sixers’ future has never been murkier. Philadelphia didn’t just lose Sunday. It was drubbed. Tattooed. Pasted. The Sixers trailed by three at halftime and were still in it. They were down 26 at the end of the third quarter, and it was over. The 29-year-old MVP was outplayed by the soon-to-be 37-year-old Al Horford. The All-Star guard whom Philly mortgaged its future for had nearly as many turnovers (five) as points (nine).

“We just didn’t make shots,” Embiid said. “All of us, for the most part, we were pretty cold. In these type of games you got to make shots, and we didn’t.”

Harden stepped up for 42 points in Game 1 without Embiid, but his shooting fell flat in Game 7 / AP

So now what? For the sixth straight season the 76ers have exited the playoffs early. In five of the last six years it has ended here, in the second round. In three of those seasons it has been the Celtics that have sent Philadelphia home.

“I'm disappointed,” said Rivers. “I thought we had the right group. I really did.”

Changes are coming in Philadelphia. They have to be. Embiid will be there. Critics will pile on him for his poor performance in Game 7 (5-of-18 from the floor) while comparisons will be made to Nikola Jokić, the former MVP who has had a dominant postseason on a team that is still playing. But Embiid suffered a significant knee injury in the first round and played six games through it. He appeared to reaggravate it after stepping on Marcus Smart in the first half.

“I didn’t think he was right from that point on,” Rivers said. “The kid deserves a break. He really does. He deserves one shot to just be 100% throughout. I don’t know if we would’ve won this series, but I would just love to have him one time where we don’t have issues. I haven’t had that opportunity, and Joel hasn’t had that opportunity, and that sucks for everybody.”

Will Rivers be back? He said he plans to be, noting that he has two years left on his contract. Embiid endorsed a Rivers return. “He’s done a fantastic job,” Embiid said. “I think he should be fine.” Harden was less enthusiastic. Asked specifically about his relationship with Rivers and whether he would like to see him return, Harden said, “Our relationship is O.K.”

Harden’s future is even more interesting. He’s still an All-Star-caliber guard. His 45 points powered the Embiid-less Sixers to a win in Game 1. He had 42 points—on 70% shooting—in an overtime win in Game 4. But he was 3-for-11 from the floor in Game 7 after going 4-for-16 in Game 6. In Philadelphia’s four losses, Harden shot 12-for-55.

When Philadelphia wins, Harden is a big reason.

When they lose … Harden is a big reason.

On Sunday, Rivers defended Harden. He praised his effort: “I thought James came to play,” Rivers said. His decision-making: “Where he passed the ball was the right decisions tonight, and we didn’t get anything out of it,” said Rivers. He lauded Harden’s willingness to change his game this season.

“We asked him to play a little different than he has always been accustomed to,” Rivers said. “I think it made us a better team. And unfortunately, I thought for James at times it wasn’t always best for him, but he still did it. You appreciate that as a coach.”

Harden gave an unconvincing answer about his rapport with Rivers, saying, “Our relationship is OK.” / AP

Harden has a player option for $35 million next season. If he picks it up, he’ll be back. But what if he doesn’t? Harden will be 34 next season. He’s already showing signs of decline. Is it in Philadelphia’s best interest to lavish a four-year contract on him? Will the threat of another team signing him—a reunion with Houston, bizarrely, continues to bandied about—push the team into overpaying for him? Sixers GM Daryl Morey is loyal to Harden. But a decision on a long-term contract is a complicated one.

On Sunday, Harden offered little insight into his future. “I haven’t even thought about it,” he said. Wherever Harden plays, he said, “I just want the chance to obviously compete.” Of his partnership with Embiid, Harden indicated there was still room for it to grow.

“We're only one year in,” Harden said. “We played against the team who’s been together for quite a few years now. They were in the Finals last year, so they kind of know what it takes to get back there. And this is only Year 1 for us, [as a] full year. It was great.”

Big decisions are coming in Philadelphia. An hour after the game, Embiid, still in full uniform, pointed the finger at himself. “I gotta be better,” Embiid said. “That’s on me. Being, if you want to call me, the best player on the team, every failure and every loss, no matter what, should be put on the best player. I’ll take it all. It’s all on me. It’s hard to win alone, but it’s all on me. I just got to be better. And I will be better.”

Embiid will be back. But after another playoff failure, there may be a lot of new people around him.

“It’s tough losing,” Embiid said. “Especially this way.”