Doc Rivers’ First Instruction After Landing Philadelphia 76ers’ Job Will Win Your Heart

The Philadelphia 76ers’ have a new coach officially. Who knew Doc Rivers would find a coaching position in just three days after bidding farewell to the Clippers. As the new coach, Rivers is already making decisions and the number one being that he wants to be called by his original name and not Doc.

Rivers has been an NBA point guard for 13 seasons and a coach for around 21 seasons. Not only that, but he is also considered as one of the most reputed coaches in the NBA franchise, and that shows by the kind of demand he was in when he was let go from the Clippers. However, Doc is not his real name, it is actually Glenn Rivers.

Now that he is assuming his role as the Sixers’ new coach, he has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be known as Doc. Although the reason behind this change of heart is quite touching.

There will always be only one Doc in the Philadelphia 76ers

Does the name Julius Erving ring a bell? Oh wait, you’ll probably recognize him by the name “Dr. J”. Yes, one of the greatest and most influential basketball players. He ended his career in the Sixers and made a name for himself in NBA History.

That is exactly why Rivers wants to be known as Glenn. He thinks there is and can be only one Doc in the Sixers and that’s Julius Erving. “I’m Glenn with you and I’m fine with that because I actually agree with that,” said Rivers. “There’s only one Doc in town.”

The last time the Sixers won the NBA Championship was in 1983 and the rising star was Dr. J. Rivers recently narrated his encounter with the Legend. “First of all, I was nervous,” Rivers said. “I was embarrassed. We go up to the circle, you know, the starting lineup. I had never met Dr. J. So I walk up to him and I put my hand out and say, ‘Hey, Mr. Erving, Dr. J, Glenn Rivers.’ And he says, ‘Doc Rivers.’

“And for me, that was really cool that he did that, because it just showed the class of Julius — as you know, one of the classier men in the world.”

Dr. J has had a deeper impact on Rivers than anybody knows. It is one of the reasons he originally got his infamous name Doc and his glory days began. With that, this was definitely a heartfelt gesture by Rivers and the Sixers are ready to follow him, hopefully to their next championship.