Doc Rivers Offers Blunt Assessment on Relationship With James Harden in Philadelphia

The former 76ers coach didn’t sugarcoat it.

With James Harden having one foot out the door with the 76ers amid his trade demand, former coach Doc Rivers made an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today where he addressed what his relationship was like with the star guard. Rivers was fired after the 76ers were eliminated from the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Celtics in seven games. 

Rivers coached Harden for a season-and-a-half in Philadelphia and bluntly explained that they weren’t necessarily close. 

“It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good,” Rivers said. “It was pretty much neutral. It was an honest relationship at the end of the day. I was very honest. I really believe there’s ways you have to play to win and, obviously, I was never willing to compromise on that. It was a relationship of communication. I can tell you, we talked when we needed to talk all the time.”     

Despite their openness with one another, the relationship never amounted to much in terms of postseason success. The Nets traded Harden to the 76ers in February 2022 and his addition still didn’t deliver a conference championship appearance to Philadelphia. The latest playoff disappointment with both Harden and reigning MVP Joel Embiid was the last straw for 76ers leadership as it marked the third season in a row Rivers’s squad couldn’t advance past the second round. 

Philadelphia hired Nick Nurse to replace him in the offseason, while Harden made his very public trade demand. With no deal done yet, it remains to be seen what the 76ers will look like for the 2023–24 season.