NBA insiders have given new 76ers coach Doc Rivers the label of "Chief performance officer," in charge of a roster that "failed to meet expectations last season," according to Jabari Young of CNBC.com. After his quick move from the Clippers to the 76ers, Rivers needs to "fix the Sixers’ locker room." Along with the "chatter of discontent among star players," the team also saw "poor performance on the road," with a 12-26 record last season. One NBA team staffer with knowledge of the Sixers’ affairs called the franchise “unorganized,” adding that the club had "too many front office staff with titles but undefined roles." Meanwhile, Young noted if Rivers can "deliver a title" to the Sixers, the $280M that 76ers co-Managing Partner Josh Harris and company invested in the team "could grow the valuation beyond" its current $2B. Then Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Scott O’Neil's job "could get a bit easier." Harris "wants a flashy new arena filled with better fan experiences once the club’s lease" at the Wells Fargo Center ends in '31. The timeline to build arenas is "usually seven years," so O’Neil "will need it to navigate the politics and secure the funding, which could include tax dollars." These things become "more manageable if the Sixers win a championship under Rivers." Harris "may envision a spacious site also to build hotels, restaurants, shops and apartments to surround the new arena." But if "staying in Philadelphia is vital," the team "could find itself settling for a downtown site" (CNBC.com, 10/18).
