Friday Deep Dive | What Makes a Good Coaching Fit?

and the team go from here. I'm Lauren Rosen, I'm Givens, I'm Brian Seltzer, and with the seventy Sixers in Brooklyn, nets set the square off on Saturday, we take a look at what makes a good coaching fit on this week's Friday Deep Dive. It is Friday once again. That means we are chatting with Lauren Rosen and Devon Givens. My favorite day for content of the week. Guys, if I do say, I always look forward to the conversation.

Great to be back. Always look forward to this. This is look forward to this because the team is playing very well. We always have great conversations and I cannot wait to get this one started. Hi too, I'm looking forward to this. I too look forward to this every week. And you know what I'm looking forward to now is one day, whenever it may be doing this roundtable in person around an actual table. Yes, Yes, I agreed, agreed. Yeah, I like you guys. Yeah, I can sit down with

you guys. Yeah. Wow, what a wholesome way to start. It's true. Hey, when it's true what they say when you're winning, everybody is winning. Yes, from your mouth to the pandemic powers that be, Let's get this done podcast in person. Let's do it. So we got a big matchup coming up on Saturday night, seventy six Ers Brooklyn nets How it is not the main primetime showcase game. I don't know how. I know they made the TV

schedule before James Harden got to Brooklyn. Still, this matchup at Star Power, I really want to floor the notion of what makes a good coaching fit. I think the seventy six Ers and Brooklyn were front at center with the two signature coaching hires arguably of the offseason, with Doc Rivers in Philly and Steve Nash surprising everyone and

going to Brooklyn. We got to get some reaction. Another week goes by more great stuff Joel Embiid, and I need to hear from you guys what you thought, particularly of the first quarter that Joe had after being fresh couple days off his feet against Charlotte on Wednesday night. For me, it was one of the most enjoyable stretches of Joel embiad basketball, not only seen this season, but in his career. Your thoughts, Laaren, what do you think?

I mean? We say it over and over again. When Joel is on and at his best, he is unstoppable. He's the best player on the floor. He might be the best player in the league, and we certainly saw that against Charlotte in that thirty to thirteen first quarter. It was just a pleasure to watch, and at this point not that big of a surprise. He's been churning out performances like that night or night, and like you said, with a little bit of rest, it can go a

long way. It was light work for him, very light work for him to post those types of numbers in that first quarter. The defense also on the other end, to hold Charlotte to such a low shooting percentage in the first quarter against the seventy six ers, it was great. So, like we always talk about defense leads to offense, and that defense that they played led to the offense and smartly.

Whether the players or whether it was the game plan by the coaching staff to get Joel and bid the ball early and often against that team, then hey, that that was the right thing to do. It. Really enjoyed how he played, and we keep talking about our favorite performances from Joel Embiid, and he keeps tacking on, even with even in twelve minutes, he's now tacking on to those conversations that we have about these games that he's playing in What you said d about it being light work,

I couldn't agree with you more. He just makes it. On the offensive end in particular, looks so effortless, and everything incredible that he seems to do appears to be happening in slow motion, like everything is within his control. He is the one who's dictating the flow of the game, and I think that's what we're seeing. I mean that sequence where he did the length of the floor coast to coast drive euros step on Cody Zeller for the dunk, and then cut back down a couple of seconds later

and just stroke a step in three who can. First of all, if anyone can do that, you're great and you're amazing. But at his size and what he's expected to do and then being able to do things like that, it's just remarkable to me. And I continue to tell myself, be appreciative of what you're seeing, especially at the start

of the season with how Joel's playing right now. The other thing I appreciate, guys with that what you're saying so is the fact that he continues to do this stuff and he's so under control right it's at his pace, nothing is sped up. It's what he wants to do.

It seems like the game has slowed down for him for him to have these types of successes that he is to the point of bringing the ball up the floor, things opened up, he recognized it, boom, took it and did what he did, comes back down, makes the three. And then there was another player that I highlight the double team started to come. All he did was stay under control, split it, get stepped through, lay up right there at the room. And that's the stuff that we're

talking about. Those are the things that we're talking about when we speak of all the attributes that he has as part of his game that he starts to just display and it looks so as you said, effortless out there on the floor. I don't think we're even close to where I think we can be. So it's nice you know that while you're going through this, you're winning

games because you have to. You know, in our league, you have to get playoff position, and you have to, you know, keep winning as you're learning and getting better. The fact we're doing that and literally on the fly and then just us everybody, it's a good time for

our team guys. In some ways, I think some of what we're seeing with Joel Embiad and his success or reflection of the new set of eyes, the new set of minds surrounding the seventy sixers this season, and that ties back into the first major change the Sixers made hiring Doc Rivers as head coach, and as we look ahead to Saturday's matchup between the seventy sixers and Brooklyn, essentially a one two wish matchup right now in the

Eastern Conference, Brooklyn neck and neck with Milwaukee, we're looking at two teams that had signature offseason coaching hires. So I want to get into what makes the right fit for a team in a particular moment in time. We'll

start with Doc Rivers. I'd love to hear from each of you, starting with you, Lauren, what you think in your mind, if you could pick one thing that stands out about a positive effect Doc Rivers has had on the seventy sixers, Well, I think I have to go with the word that's been thrown around by the team quite a bit, and that's accountability. Tyree Maxie. I asked him to comment on Doc winning Eastern Conference Coach of the Month a couple of days ago at practice, and

he said that Doc holds everybody accountable. And that's a word we've heard a lot of the players throw around, so it's no doubt a word that they're using when they interact with one another. And I believe that if Doc is really holding them as accountable as the players say that he is, the players say, he tells it like it is. He says whatever he thinks and whatever he sees, whether it's good that ugly, amazing Doc is

honest with them. He's upfront, and I think that's something that this team has really welcomed, especially considering the newness in that starting lineup, the newness across the roster, to have everything laid out in front of you and just have a leader that's being straight up and honest with the experience to back the stuff he's saying. I really think that that honesty, that transparency that Doc is bringing to this locker room is making a difference. I totally agree.

This is something that we've talked about quite a bit. This is a word that is in ourful abulary as far as the team goes and seeing where it goes with the accountability and to hear Lauren you say that about the players saying that to you and us hearing Doc Rivers say it from time to time as well. It's great to see that and everyone is buying into what he is preaching. So if you're out there, Seltsan,

you ask the question what makes a great coach? If you're preaching something and your team believes in what you're preaching and then you see it execute on the floor as well, that goes a long way. And I believe that the team really respects him number one for his not only his playing career, but also his coaching career and already winning a title and coming here with the reputation that he has of being that upfront guy, of being a respected head coach in this league and a

respected man in this league for so many years. That

goes a long way. And now that he is able to touch certain things, do different things and hold them ownable as well while praise them when they do the right things, I think that's I think that's a big tip of the cat to Doc Rivers with what he's done in this short time with the seventy sixers on board with what both of you guys said, and on top of that, something that stood out to me at least the way he's been articulating things to the media publicly,

is that he's keeping things simple. I think he recognizes that he has tremendous talent on this team. I think he knows that he has a deep team mixed together with talent that's young and old. And I don't think he's trying to get the seventy six ers to be anything that they aren't. And I think in some ways the roster design this year helps play to that strength. Six Ers have more shooters this season, all right, Joel Embiid,

We're going to run it through you. On offense, and everything should based on the design of the roster take care of itself defensively, that embid guy again, We'll plant you Dad at the anchor. You take care of the back end, and then we'll fire off someone like Simmons or Amatis Thible or a Danny Green upfront along the wings, and with their gifts, things get covered on that end. To me, it doesn't seem like he's trying to do

too much with the Sixers reinvent the wheel. I think you can look to collectively the way the team has played is one exhibit of that. And to take the case of someone like Tobias Harris, where are the results dramatically different from Tobias so far this season? I think everyone would agree that he's looking like a totally different player who's taking his game to the next level. But I feel like it goes back to this whole notion that Doc has talked about a lot, and Tobias as well,

is make a quick decision, be decisive. Doc streamlining things for the team as a whole. For some individual players, I don't think he's asking anyone to be someone who they're not on the individual level, and I do feel that in many ways that has been to pay off for the seventy Sixers so far, just coming in recognizing what he has and trying to play to those strengths.

I do think also divine what you mentioned, this idea of success on the floor, the start the Sixers have gotten off to one of the best in the league. How much do you guys think the team's ability to close out games more than once more than twice on a handful of occasions in the fourth quarter. How much do you think that facilit takes buying between a team

and a new head coach. D I think it. I think it goes a long way because we've seen some things in a more recent past where players that are currently on the roster that we're here in the previous seasons where they also have seen it go the other way. So between the coach saying one thing and whatever they're preaching in practice and then seeing the results out there on the floor, seeing to Bias Harris with the game winner over the Los Angeles Lakers, where maybe that didn't

happen before. You know, that's something that that's something that we are not accustomed to seeing, and sometimes it will go the other way. And now that you're starting to feel that and now you're starting to see it differently with this bad keyball team. It really it can really help out both the trusts in the players with the coach and the coach with the trust in his players to do the exact same thing if it presents itself in a different game. I agree with everything that you

had to say, Devon. I think that the way that the team has learned to close out even while they're new together is so, so, so impressive. I also think that the way that they've come from behind, they've been able to put down come from behind from other teams, and they've been able to win decisively. They've shown that they can win in a lot of different ways, and I think that that's super valuable, especially when you move into the later part of the season and the playoffs

when they're going to have to learn to win creatively. Stistically, no team better in fourth quarters this season than the seventy Sixers and the Sixers prevail. Sixers are sixteen and six. They've won four in a row and they've won nine of their last eleven. For the Sixers are over five

hundred now on the road so far. I think there's also this notion of Doc Rivers having had success before and having won a title and having worked with some of the top names in the sport over the years, whether it was the Big Three in Boston, the New Age Three with the LA Clippers more recently last season.

Paul George Kawhi Leonard that for guys who are still relatively early in their career, like Ben Simmons and Joel Emvied from the relative standpoint their stars but still young in their career, that it does carry some significance that someone with Doc's cache comes in and that's the one

who you're hearing the message from now. I think that was a question that people had coming into this season, but so far we have no reason to believe that that has not been something that's been impactful so far based on what we've seen. Yeah, everything is playing out perfectly.

I don't think there's really any one thing that we could point to so for this season when it comes to your star players, the new coach and the message that's being sent out there, and the success that was there with the Big Three in Boston, then you moved

to Los Angeles. Don't forget the fourth guy that used to also were number seventeen in Philadelphia, being a part of that and the success that is there and how things work out all again, the reputation that he brings with him, as we knew when it happened in the offseason when he became available, and immediately he became the number one target for the organization, as he should have been,

and it's paying off in the dividends right now. And with Joel Embie the player of the month, and I'm sure we'll talk about that, but even with someone like Ben Simmons, who while the majority or let's just say a good handful of folks sixer fans watch the games and maybe we don't see the seventeen points that we're accustomed to seeing from him on a nightly basis. With the statistics on obviously the rebounding, the assist was still

seeing steals and everything. It's well, okay, I'm not worried about this about Ben because Ben is doing all of these other things that I can check off. This is doc Rivers, of course, check off of all of these things that he is doing out there on the floor that are helping us pick up ws right now, that win column they're in that nice number of double digits, and they're still in single digits on that right column

with the Elves. And as long as Ben Simmons, here's his coach say publicly that I'm not worried about X, I'm worried about ABC, D, E, F and G that he is doing to help contribute to wins. Again, they go that goes a long way. That goes a long way, and I think we're seeing that not only from the way that we see it in these standings, but also

their body language out there on the floor. And even when you see the coaches, not only Doc Rivers, Sam Couldsell, dan Burke was watching Joel inb talk to dan Burke and laugh against Charlotte. He's coming off the floor something that he did defensively that embiad was tremendous with, and I felt like dan Burke was talking to embeat about it.

And then it takes me back to dan Burke a season ago with Indiana and how he felt some calls would go the other way with embat So everything just seems to be clicking with the coaching staff led by Rivers, with the players, the star players in particular also, and it's just a good thing. To see right now. Feels good to see them at this place as they get ready for a big, big matchup as you mentioned, with the next team in the Eastern Conference right behind them

with the Brooklyn Nets, So it's great to watch. I do think that the early indication of the answer to that question might be yes, just because the team has expressed that they know they have such a long way to go, and that's something I know that we've just talked about. But the fact that they're anticipating growing more, anticipating learning more, they're probably anticipating a few games here and there, and how they respond, I cannot agree with

you more. How they respond is going to be so key for how this identity that's still growing for this new team ends up shaping up when it comes to the playoffs. You alluded d to the monthly award, the Conference Player of the Month award that Joel Embid won Doc Rivers, as Lauren said, the Eastern Conference Coach of

the Month. That's something the seventy six ers haven't done, sweeping those two since nineteen eighty two eighty three, And I thought it was interesting to hear what Doc had to say, both about himself being nominated and selected for that award, and then also Joel Embiid being chosen as Eastern Conference Player of the Month. It's really nice Joel winning Player of the month. But I don't think that's why we started the season or what he wanted. I mean,

he wants more. That shouldn't be a reason not to keep wanting to improve. You know, as a group, none of us have made it. You know, we're trying to make it, and we're trying to get better. So that's what we need from him and everyone. And the message was essentially, we got more to do, Like this is nice, this is good. It helps us reach some sort of level of recognition for what people individually have been doing and the team's success. But ultimately, Doc, I think has

said repeatedly that this team can be better. Where do you think they still have to go? What can Doc do more to get more out of this team? What do you think is the next step in their revolution? The next step is let's just say, for instance, as we look ahead, not jumping too far ahead, but seeing how they respond and handle a four game road trip that they have up coming on the West coast. Sure

they have Brooklyn tough, matchup. We didn't see Kevin Durant Kyrie Irving in the first one where unfortunately the six is lost in Brooklyn, but it's like James Harden adding there, so we didn't see him. Now we get to see those guys. That's another barometer we spoke about it before, the barometer of looking back at the Minnesota game, not dropping that one, beating the Lakers, but not overlooking Minnesota.

Then going to Indiana being down without dwell indeed, and then coming right back and doing what they are doing out there on the floor. That is something that I think Doc Rivers has to just continue to preach. Everything that he's doing is working right now. How is he going to handle those games where they are on that road trip if something doesn't go right? How do they respond now to a bump in the road, if you

will for them? If it goes that way now, I expect them to win a few because they are the best team in the Eastern Conference at this time, so I think that they will go out there and handle themselves the right way. So for me Celts and Lauren, it's more of ken Doc Rivers, his message and what he's preaching right now. Can it still reach them when they go on a road take a little chin check and get right back up off the mat and do it all over again, and this time walk away with

the win again. Doc Rivers so far a great fit for the seventy six ers. His hiring proceeded one month earlier by Steve Nash to the Brooklyn Nets. It's a unique opportunity, you know, as an incredible roster, and you know, it's something that I put on the back burner but always been listening, taking notes, building it in my mind to get this opportunity to be able to join, you know that that lifetime of practice thing and seeking it within the sport and life a couple with this opportunity.

It wasn't a perfect match. I was shocked, stunned, and I feel like even when Wojbob's happened, I'm not entirely caught off guard. I feel like, you know, I hate to sound like this type of person that I've been around long enough, but it takes something major for me at least to really surprise me. I was blown away that this is what happened with Brooklyn. I don't know how you guys felt about I too, I too was blown away and hearing Steve Nash talk about other things

that he's doing, I didn't expect that one. I really didn't, but I was pleasantly Prize always appreciated his game as a point guard in this league, as a Hall of Famer, and the way that he played and the style that he played. We often speak about the style of playing today's NBA and say he and that Phoenix Suns team were maybe ahead of its time and missing out on an era of basketball because he would be phenomenal like he was to make the Hall of Fame, he would

be phenomenal right now. So for him and for him to bring his expertise in this and added now as a head coach to the floor and see what they are doing now, mixing all these pieces together and adding Mike D'Antoni to the coaching staff, helping out with a veteran mind to go with him as he goes along here as a first time head coach. I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm pleasantly surprised. And a team is interesting to watch.

It's fascinating too because as a first time head coach, he already knew he was coming in to work with two big stars and two big personalities, and then of course Kyrie Irving took some time away and by the time he came back, Steve Nash was dealing with three big characters, big personalities, three all stars. It is interesting to see how he's been able to hit the ground running and take it in stride, because that has got

to be a lot for anybody. And I do think his experience as a former player with different teammates, with different types of teammates is probably paying off quite a bit as he tries to get this new look Brooklyn Nets team now times two new look Brooklyn Nets team together. One thing, guys that I thought was very transparent and candid from Steve Nash was acknowledging the situation surroundings hiring.

He said during his introductory press conference, I did skip the line frankly talking about how rapidly he went from nothing in the NBA coaching ranks to the head coach of one of the highest profile teams in the entire league.

But then after that, Nash went on to say that perhaps it's not quite as unprecedented as we might think that someone like Steve Kerr made a semi similar leap even though he was involved in front office work before that, And Nash also point of the fact that he was a point guard in the NBA for roughly two decades. Do you think that's a fair way for him to put his situation into context? What did you guys think of how he responded the question of him perhaps jumping

in line, so to speak. I appreciate his honesty upfront, understanding that there are other people who are just as much, if not more qualified than he, But he most likely got the position because his name was Steve Nash and he had a different mindset, plus the relationship with the general manager and Sean Marks where those things relationships, as we know, go a long way. So I do appreciate the candor and being honest and understanding that's always who

he has been. So I'm really not surprised that he did say that, but again, just appreciate that he did mention it. He's got a lot of support. Lloyd Pierce, former six assistant head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, former college teammate, and many others have said, look, yeah, you jumped the line, but you know he's qualified and think you will work out, and others have done it. Yeah, I hear you as well. I think that that's accurate.

I do appreciate his honesty for sure, and he did certainly cut the line, especially when it comes to the black coaches that are available that have not been given head coaching jobs at this point and have more qualifications period than Steve Nash did. But like you said, the name, recognition, the respect among the league. I totally understand how it happened.

It's great to see a good guy like Steve Nash having the success, but you would also hope that some of the more diverse candidates will be put in similar positions as the years go on. So I guess that's the only other thing that I would add there. I think all valid points, and really the success of this hire will be gauged on what I think. It's certainly something that always has to be viewed hand in hand with the star power that Brooklyn was able to bring

in since the season started. They added obviously another in James Harden. So is this you gotta get out of the East, you got to win it all? What's success look like for the Brooklyn Nets? How would we define that this year? I think it's hard to say. I think there are more than a few teams in the Eastern Conference that are defining success as winning the East, and there are more than a few teams that could in fact win the East. So personally, I've set the

expectations similar to where the Sixers expectations are. If they don't make an Eastern Conference finals, that's probably a bit of a disappointment. But I'd be more concerned if they don't make it over the next couple of years while they do have those stars under contract, which I believe is how I feel about a couple other teams as well, I would look at it very similar. I guess I'm more Yeah, you have to get it done. You know, you come in the anticipation from last season with Durant

being out due to the injury. They still give them a big contract. Kyrie Irving plays within is injured, and then you go make a big power move and you get James Harden. You make a power move and cut the line and bring it in Steve Nash. That says win now, and if they don't it will be a disappointment for them now. Obviously for me and you insults, we want to see this one succeed with the new regime here with Doc Rivers and company. But yes, if they don't, I think it would be a disappointment. Now,

I'm also big on how did it happen. Does it go to Game seven and better team wins, then so be it. You shake your hand and you walk off, and you prepare for the next season. But something less than that. If they knocked out a little bit earlier in a different fashion, then I think we'll have a new conversation at that time. Can I have you, guys a question, who of these two teams, the Sixers who we talk about every day and the Brooklyn Nets, who has more at stake when it comes to what you

think might happen down the line. I got a quick response on that one, Divon, I don't know if you have equally as quick response. I'll just say Brooklyn I think has way more at stake. I think that they have pushed the chips in immediately. They have totally mortgaged all of the future, and then the lifetime beyond that and the lifetime beyond that. Whereas for the Sixers, I think that you certainly could still if you're looking at this reasonably and I'm trying to remove the company that

cuts my paycheck from this listen. I think that everyone wants to see this team take the next step. But I also feel that there might be two more steps to go in the Sixers evolution, maybe three, but probably I think the way most people are looking at it, some of the people in the Sixers building two steps, whereas Brooklyn you've got bona fide, legit, established stars. There's only one place where you really, I think, and this is fair, I think that they have to go one

place where it's considered not successful. This year, Lawrence Selts, they had two of those stars that you're talking about. They have won. They come in with that reputation as winners. That's also why you bring them in because they've done with Irving. Yes, he was with Lebron James, but he hit the big shot in Game seven. Lebron James trusted

him to do that. And then on the other side, Kevin Duran is the one who helped put Golden State over the top when he was there and took down Lebron James with those big shots twice in the NBA Finals. So I agree with you, it's the Brooklyn Nets. There's still some room, especially with the new coaching staff here with the Sixers as well with Doc Rivers, but Brooklyn, definitely, Lauren,

that's the team for me. And I think ultimately, perhaps at least for a final word, is that we've talked about coaching fits and comparing Doc river a situation to Steve Nash. This, ultimately, with Brooklyn is not really about Steve Nash in my opinion. This is about the three star players they have, where I think, and maybe that's not going to be fair to Steve Nash. Behind the scenes,

maybe he's doing more than anyone knows. And if Brooklyn gets out of the East and wins it, all people say, well, that's because they have Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden. But I think that with Doc with the seventy Sixers, he will be viewed hand in hand with the evolution of this team along with some of their star players, which I think is a neat thing to look at. As far as how Doc handles this type of situation

with the Sixers, I agree fair enough. Thanks guys. I always wonder, when we're so close to one specific team, how the barometers that we use to evaluate the Sixers would compare to the way we'd evaluate another team. It's always fun to sort of just test the water with what you guys think about what's going on around the leak. We'd like to be balanced and fair here, that's right. I don't know about fair and balanced, but we want to be balanced and fair. All right, guys, Thank you

very much. We'll do it again next week. Always good to be with you guys. Yeah. A couple programming reminders for you related to the seventy six Ers podcast network. Subscribe to The Scoop on its brand new own feed to serve seventy six Ers Scoop wherever you get your pods. Next week, Horn and I will have Mailbag Monday on

Yes You Guessed It Monday. A new episode of Tom's Talk with Tom McGuinness come your way on Thursday and also in the days ahead, and look out for a special releases in a new mini series called Black History Month Inspirations, the first episode of profile none other than Doc rovers. I'm Bryan Seltzer. Thanks listening, Seeyeh I