Doc Rivers on James Harden’s Las Vegas Trip: ‘So What?’

The Sixers coach discussed his star point guard’s mid-playoff series trip to Las Vegas in a recent interview.

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden received some criticism from media and fans for partying in Las Vegas during the team’s first-round playoff series against the Nets. 

Harden, who has played well throughout the playoffs for Philadelphia, largely brushed off the criticism.

In a recent story with Steve Bulpett of Heavy, 76ers coach Doc Rivers addressed the move by Harden and agreed the trip wasn’t that big of a deal.

“It’s funny,” Rivers began. “James called me before he went, and I was like, ‘So what? Do it.’ Dennis Rodman went to Vegas. They asked me about it, and I said, ‘We had three days off.’ I told them to do whatever they want. He’s a grown man. I didn’t care.”

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Would that same thing have bothered Rivers years ago when he was a younger coach? Rivers couldn’t help but think that it would have.

“Oh yeah, I would have overreacted to that, all of it,” Rivers added. “But, you know, it’s funny to think about it now. Just years of coaching adults and watching ‘The Last Dance,’ all that stuff doesn’t seem as big. You just get older and more experienced, man. And you know what I’ve learned? Some guys are who they are. Let ’em be that.”

The Sixers are tied 1-1 heading home to Philadelphia for Game 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.