The 2021-22 NBA playoffs were in full swing, and the Philadelphia 76ers, who were expected to sweep the promotion 4-0, ultimately failed to seize the opportunity and were pulled back by the Raptors who played at home. Today, the 76ers are leading the Raptors 3-1 in the series, still holding the series match points, and winning one more game can advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals!
However, considering that the 76ers' manager is Rivers, and the big score is the familiar 3-1, it always feels that something is not quite right. According to statistics, Rivers' entire coaching career has had 7 series since 2003, and has been reversed by opponents in the lead. Three of them were even more bizarre, being reversed with a 3-1 lead.
To take a quick look, let's take a look back at Rivers' magical "reversed coaching career"!
1st time: In the 2003 playoffs, the Magic led the Pistons 3-1, and was eventually reversed by the Pistons in three consecutive sets.
2nd time: In the 2009 playoffs, the Celtics led the Magic 3-2, and was eventually reversed by the Magic in two consecutive sets.
3rd time: In the 2010 playoffs, the Celtics led the Lakers 3-2, and was eventually reversed by the Lakers in two consecutive sets.
4th time: In the 2012 playoffs, the Celtics led the Heat 3-2, and was eventually reversed by the Heat in two consecutive sets.
5th time: In the 2015 playoffs, the Clippers led the Rockets 3-1 by a large margin, and were eventually reversed by the Rockets in three consecutive sets.
6th time: In the 2016 playoffs, the Clippers led the Blazers 2-0, and finally were reversed by the Blazers in four consecutive sets.
7th time: In the 2020 playoffs, the Clippers led the Nuggets 3-1, and finally were reversed by the Nuggets in three consecutive innings.
Now, the big score between the 76ers and the Raptors is 3-1, and I believe that Rivers will also have a sentence in his heart, "No one knows better than me that the 3-1 lead is reversed!" Although Embiid and Harden are the main theme of the 76ers, the strength of the Denti combination is obvious to all. But when Rivers coached the Clippers, especially in the 2020 playoffs, with the duo of Small Card and George, wasn't the Clippers also reversed by their opponents with a 3-1 lead?
Rivers' legendary "reversed coaching career" can't help but make people think. Everyone said that there is a possibility that the 76ers will be reversed by the Raptors in four consecutive innings? Prior to this, no team in NBA history had been turned over by an opponent with a 3-0 lead. If the 76ers are eliminated by the Raptors 4-3, will Rivers' coaching career end there? After all, this is a scene that has never been seen in the NBA, and if this really happens, Rivers should be embarrassed to stay in the NBA to coach.
Of course, it's too difficult for the Raptors to reverse the reversal. After all, neither Harden nor Embiid has ever won a championship, and the Desire for Championships is very high. Not only that, the 76ers now hold the series match point, if it is really reversed by the Raptors, then not only Rivers will become a laughingstock, but even the Dengdi combination will be questioned by fans. In this way, the 76ers should fight a quick decision and strive for the G5 to end the series at home, so as not to have too many dreams!