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#3 Doc Rivers must manage what may come
Doc Rivers has a quandry. Despite the optimism and the positive fall out that will occur with Ben Simmons actively practicing with the 76ers, nothing has changed (at least publicly) about Ben Simmons' trade demands. If that doesn't change, and the Philadelphia 76ers play the season in an uninspired way because of a lack of team chemistry, there will be a trade. If that trade goes down, Doc Rivers has to coach the new parts with a focus on doing damage in the playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers don't have to get ready, they must stay ready so when the playoffs happen, no stone will be left unturned.
#2 Don't lie to the fans
Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in the NBA regarding media interaction. He has the best stories of his playing days, has been on the media side when he broadcast the NBA in the booth, and has a son in the league. He knows the sport, and that wisdom cannot come out as lip service when the Philadelphia 76ers face adversity this year. The storylines this season will be twisted in Philadelphia to accommodate fans' angst, and what will be important is how Doc Rivers addresses the media within those storylines most likely surrounding the play of Ben Simmons. If he comes off as a politician, he will become a fan target, and it will get ugly.
#1 Doc Rivers and the Philadelphia 76ers have to win
All will be forgiven if the Philadelphia 76ers and Doc Rivers continue to climb in the East. Every contender, with the notable exception of the Brooklyn Nets of course, has gotten decidedly better from top to bottom. Jimmy Butler, a former 76ers star under Doc Rivers, and his Miami Heat are probably the most improved team in the league considering their above average offseason. The New York Knicks seem galvanized. Chicago's offseason is on par with the Miami Heat's, and even the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers made a significant offseason splash.
The 76ers cannot fall back to the pack. What will be very interesting to see is if the adversity of the offseason has affected Ben Simmons. Does he have an edge to him after all the vitriol from fans, social media and the press? Tim Grover, the well known trainer of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dywane Wade, Charles Barkely and others, told me once that when a player goes through adversity and channels his dark side, there is a transformation, and that player becomes more apt to succeed. Everything points to that potentially happening in Philly with Simmons if he's willing to stay in Philadelphia. If that occurs, it will be all up to Doc Rivers to plug in Ben Simmons and play for Eastern Conference supremacy.
