FILE–Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP
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 embarked 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 0-4.
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