Sixers

Doc Rivers to the Lakers Won’t Go Away with Report that LA Hasn’t “Abandoned Hope”

By Kyle Pagan

Published: May 23rd, 2022 · 1:56 PM EDT

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Since the Conference Finals stink so far, the biggest news is whether or not Doc Rivers will be coaching the Lakers next season. We had Gery “With One R” Woelfel report the hottest rumor out of NBA pre-draft camp was Doc Rivers to LA. All of that momentum was killed when Woj and Shams announced the finalists for the Lakers coaching job, and Paul Hudrick squashed Gery’s rumor mongering. Now we have Marc Stein, who carries way more weight in NBA reporting circles, saying the Lakers haven’t “abandoned hope” that Doc will become available this summer:

Lakers haven’t “abandoned hope” that Doc Rivers will become available to hire this summer, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/vgPl6wfVLQ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 23, 2022

 

Neither have I.

People are really trying to make Doc Rivers to LA a thing and its not just Sixers fans:

And now, it’s onto phase 2 — one on one interviews with the 13 members of Jeanie’s inner circle as they continue to buy time for Doc Rivers. 😂😂😂 https://t.co/wmRD1Hcyn2

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 20, 2022

So who is leaking the Doc to LA news? Bill Simmons thinks it is his buddy Daryl:

An increasingly amusing poker game between Daryl and the Lakers (who fired their coach 6 weeks ago). https://t.co/phkWA8X5aq

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 23, 2022

Stephen A. Smith thought James Harden threw the series hoping to get Doc Rivers fired and replaced by Mike D’Antoni. He’s also from LA. Him and Jeanie Buss party in the same clubs:

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith insinuates 76ers guard James Harden is purposely playing bad so head coach Doc Rivers will be fired and replaced with Mike D'Antoni. pic.twitter.com/Nco8qZBmMw

— The Recount (@therecount) April 26, 2022

LA Times writer Bill Plaschke is helping push the agenda:

Column: Lakers reportedly have three coaching finalists, but their best choice is door number four.

Doc Rivers still Lakers’ best shot. https://t.co/vBsUqBFPWu

— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) May 21, 2022

Don’t forget where Doc falls on the MJ vs. LeBron debate:

Doc Rivers on LeBron, Michael Jordan debates: "When LeBron came in the league they expected him to be great so it was already on him. Michael in some ways, we allowed him to grow into greatness. We didn’t allow LeBron that and he STILL overachieved." – https://t.co/bYnAJU73xV pic.twitter.com/W58zxzYK2V

— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) December 25, 2020

Plus, the Lakers don’t have a first round pick until 2025 so fans don’t have to worry about Doc burying a young guy with upside on the bench. You have a couple more years left before LeBron goes to Cleveland to play with Bronny. Don’t you want a coach who is a proven winner for one last title shot? Darvin Ham sounds like a British holiday meal. Kenny Atkinson eats his own earwax. This move might make to much sense. We’ll take that 2025 first off your hands.

Kinkead: we’ll send the Lakers Doc Rivers and Jalen Reagor for cash considerations #DoTheDeal