A week into the regular season, several NBA coaches are already coming under intense scrutiny.
The heat is highest on a pair of coaches at the helm of teams expected to be contenders this season with SportsBetting.ag installing Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers as the 2-1 favorite to be the first coach fired this season, just ahead of Brooklyn’s Steve Nash at 3-1.
Rivers’ 76ers finally got in the win column following an 0-3 start. Granted, Philadelphia opened at Boston followed by a home game against Milwaukee, but the 76ers fell at home to San Antonio before defeating Indiana.
Philadelphia embarks on a four-game road trip beginning with games at Toronto on Wednesday and Friday before traveling to Chicago and Washington.
The Nets are 1-2, with losses to New Orleans and Memphis sandwiching a victory at home against Toronto. Nash’s predicament is further complicated by a tumultuous offseason in which superstar Kevin Durant first requested a trade and then relented.
However, the team continually finds itself embroiled in drama involving stars Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons.
Third on the list is Detroit’s Dwane Casey (10-1), who isn’t blessed with nearly the depth of talent Rivers and Nash have at their disposal.
Lakers first-year coach Darvin Ham is already feeling the heat of Hollywood’s bright lights. His team remains winless at 0-3 with upcoming road games at Denver and Minnesota.
NBA First Coach Fired Odds Doc Rivers, 76ers, 2-1 Steve Nash, Nets, 3-1 Dwane Casey, Pistons, 10-1 Darvin Ham, Lakers, 12-1 Stephen Silas, Rockets, 12-1 Tom Thibodeau, Knicks, 12-1 Nate McMillan, Hawks, 14-1 Billy Donovan, Bulls, 20-1 Wes Unseld Jr., Wizards, 20-1 Chauncy Billups, Trail Blazers, 25-1 Mark Daigneault, Thunder, 25-1 Joe Mazzulla, Celtics, 50-1 Michael Malone, Nuggets, 50-1 Steve Clifford, Hornets, 50-1 Chris Finch, Timberwolves, 66-1 J.B. Bickerstaff, Cavaliers, 66-1 Jamahl Mosley, Magic, 66-1 Tyronn Lue, Clippers, 66-1 Mike Brown, Kings, 80-1 Willie Green, Pelicans, 80-1 Jason Kidd, Mavericks, 100-1 Mike Budenholzer, Bucks, 100-1 Monty Williams, Suns, 100-1 Nick Nurse, Raptors, 100-1 Rick Carlisle, Pacers, 100-1 Erik Spoelstra, Heat, 125-1 Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies, 125-1 Will Hardy, Jazz, 125-1 Gregg Popovich, Spurs, 150-1 Steve Kerr, Warriors, 150-1
–Field Level Media
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