Doc Rivers shared some insights into how he would approach the roster headache that is Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. “I think it’s two-fold. Firstly, no coach is going to complain about having too much talent. But once they put their roster together, then they complain about having too much talent. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who declares for the team and who is available for selection. It’s all about the fit. Doesn’t matter how much talent you have if the team doesn’t fit together. You want the guys to be who they are. You want the right 12, not the most talented 12.”
Furthermore, Rivers revealed that he had been pushing Joel Embiid to declare for Team USA during his tenure with the Sixers. “The team needs size and rebounding. I spoke with Joel maybe ten times about this. I told him that he had to declare for Team USA because they needed what he brought to a team. Joel was always going to declare but you know him, he always likes to keep his cards close to his chest,” Rivers said.
Read More: Joel Embiid Declares For Team USA Ahead Of 2024 Olympics
Rivers Picks Nuggets & Celtics As Title Favorites
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 07: Head coach Doc Rivers of Team Durant speaks with his team during the second half against Team James in the 70th NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena on March 07, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Elsewhere during a wide-ranging press conference hosted by ESPN, Rivers also gave his picks for the title favorites in the upcoming NBA season. Rivers named the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics as his conference favorites for the upcoming NBA season. “Denver has to be the favorite. Aaron Gordon was such a good pickup for them and its one that not enough people talk about,” Rivers said, “However, the West is wide open. They [Denver] will have old contenders, young contenders. Meanwhile, Boston lost Marcus Smart, they lost their best defensive players. And then they go and get probably the best defensive guard in the league. I think that makes them the favorite in the East.”
Rivers joins the broadcast booth after parting ways with the Sixers at the end of last season. However, it’s not Rivers’ first time behind the mic. After leaving the Magic in 2003, Rivers joined ABC to call the 2004 Finals. Rivers will join veteran broadcasters Mike Breen and Doris Burke on the broadcast team for the 2023/24. However, he also confirmed at the ESPN press conference that he had made no long-term agreement with the network.
Read More: Doc Rivers Says He’s “Just Gonna Enjoy Life” For The Time Being
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