Ramona Shelburne was on 97.5 The Fanatic Middays to talk about Doc Rivers being fired and his relationship with James Harden. She mentioned during the season there were multiple team meetings where Doc called out Harden partying on the road and affecting his play:

This is interesting. One, because last week Doc was supposedly approaching this season with the attitude of “fuck it.” He even brought up the case of Harden going to Vegas before the Celtics series, mentioning the old Doc would’ve cared, but due to his new mantra he let it roll off his back. I think he should’ve in that case, because there were seven days before the series and Harden was back at the first day of practice.

But partying on the road having to be addressed because it’s affecting your game is different. It shouldn’t be a surprise to Sixers fans that Harden likes to party. Remember earlier this year he decided to return from injury during the last game of a road trip when the Sixers had three days of rest in between games. Why? Because that game was in Houston.

I just don’t know how you can listen to Ramona Shelburne say all of this and hand a 33 year old the max. His body is already quitting on him and anybody over 30 knows the Vegas hangovers get worse. I’d rather punt on this season and see how far Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid can lead you and then pick it up next season when the Tobias Harris contract is off the books. We could all use a year off from the Sixers anyway.

This is the only time I’ll defend Doc today. He won a title with notorious partiers. He’ll work with NBA superstars if they show up and play: