PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Sixers went on a 31-6 run in Sunday night’s fourth quarter, thanks to a zone defense that Doc Rivers offhandedly attributed as the “John Chaney matchup zone.”
“The John Chaney matchup zone was amazing,” said Rivers postgame in the locker room, honoring the late coach.
“I just wanted to knock them off rhythm. I thought they had such great rhythm against us for those three quarters. Running it toward the end was fantastic.”
The Sixers ultimately came back on the Pacers 119-110.
Chaney died on Friday at age 89. Tributes — both online and before matches — continued to pour out over the weekend for the legendary Temple Owls coach.
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Temple held a moment of silence before its game against Tulane. Head coach Aaron McKie said he noticed over the past year how Chaney seemed to be “at peace with everything.”
“He just cared,” he said. “He cared about people, and those were the kind of conversations we had over the last year. He just said, take care of those kids and just go out there and help people.”
South Carolina’s women’s team also held a moment of silence for Chaney. Coach Dawn Staley — a Philly legend herself, who also coached at Temple — wore a special T-shirt to honor Chaney. It read, “winning is an attitude” — a motto Chaney stood by.
“I’m forever grateful for them allowing me to share that moment,” she said. “We shared some office space. We shared eight years of love, friendship, laughter. He gave it all.”