The coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, Doc Rivers, allegedly took a swipe at Republicans over the 2020 presidential election when commenting on fan attendance, snarking that “I think we’re counting like the Republicans.”
The 76ers were one of the teams hosting playoff games over the weekend that had a serious uptick in fans attending their games. The arena was not full but it definitely was a big improvement over past attendance. More than 11,000 fans reportedly swarmed the Wells Fargo Center for the Game 1 matchup against the Washington Wizards. The 76ers won the faceoff 125-118.
“I can’t believe that was 10,000, 11,000 [people]. There’s no way. I think we’re counting like the Republicans because it felt like 30,000 people in the stands. They were amazing,” Rivers commented. “Let’s keep it going. It’s so nice to have that at home.”
“You know, we got down early in the second quarter and in the beginning of the third and they never wavered. That gives a team energy. I don’t think people understand how important that is,” he added.
(Video Credit: House of Highlights)
The is not the first time that Rivers has taken a poke at Republicans. He attacked former President Trump in 2020 as well: “It’s just so sad. What stands out to me is just watching the Republican convention, and viewing this fear. All you hear is Donald Trump and all of them talking about fear,” Rivers proclaimed at the time.
“We’re the ones getting killed. We’re the ones getting shot. We’re the ones that we’re denied to live in certain communities. We’ve been hung. We’ve been shot,” he asserted. “All you do is keep hearing about fear.”
“It’s amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back,” the coach and former player posited. “It’s really so sad. Like, I should just be a coach. I’m so often reminded of my color. It’s just really sad. We got to do better. But we got to demand better.”
“How dare the Republicans talk about fear. We’re the ones that need to be scared. We’re the ones having to talk to every black child,” Rivers told reporters at the time.
Doc Rivers on the extra fans today:
"I can't believe that was 10,000, 11,000. There's no way. I think we're counting like the Republicans because it felt like 30,000 people in the stands. They were amazing.
"Let's keep it going. It's so nice to have that at home."
— Tom West (@TomWestNBA) May 23, 2021
“The atmosphere was crazy, every time a bucket was scored everybody was screaming,” one fan said of the playoff game.
“I thought the roof was going to come off that’s how it felt,” another stated.
Forward Tobias Harris led the win with 37 points. He racked up 28 points in the first half.
“We see him early on dominating the game and you want to keep giving him the ball because he’s feeling it,” Sixer Ben Simmons said concerning Harris.
Center/forward Joel Embiid also scored 30 points during the game.
Early during the first quarter, fans started shouting the infamous “ref you suck” chant after a foul was called against the MVP candidate.
Fans didn’t like that foul called on Embiid.. “Ref You Suck” chants already happening at the Wells Fargo Center https://t.co/IhN0X9H1I3 pic.twitter.com/PKu5pUkimt
— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) May 23, 2021
Point guard Ben Simmons had 15 assists and 15 rebounds. “I thought he was special tonight, whoever he guarded had trouble scoring,” Doc Rivers remarked. ” He’s a treasure, something you don’t see very often in this league. All I see is this greatness in him and I just want him to keep doing what he’s doing.”
The second game will play out on Wednesday and will also be held at the Wells Fargo Center.
There were more than a few fans that did not appreciate Rivers’ jab at Republicans:
That’s why they don’t love you back, Doc. That comment is not constructive in any way, shape, or form. Don’t tell anyone you want this nation to heal ever again.
— Steve Bast (@SteveBast) May 23, 2021
I used to be an NBA fan.
— Stephen Shortlidge (@SShortlidge) May 23, 2021
He didn’t have to make it political at all…
— Zach Tolman (@Zach_Tolman) May 23, 2021
And here I thought Doc was intelligent.
— Scarlet Stache (@scarletstache) May 23, 2021
That’s Democrats
— NBA Aggregator 6’0.25” IQ 145 (@NBAAggregator) May 23, 2021
Republicans buy 76ers tickets and merch too
— Scott Le Rock (@Slimscotty) May 23, 2021
Of course he’s gotta made some backhand jab
— roasting jobless YB fans (@jinxadam1) May 23, 2021
Brilliant bringing politics in…smh
— Sean Brooks (@SeanBrooks324) May 23, 2021
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