Ben Simmons has taken the fun out of the start of a new NBA season for the Philadelphia 76ers, says coach Doc Rivers.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Sixers‘ first regular season game against New Orleans, Rivers said it was unfortunate the team had to deal with the drama surrounding Simmons, after the Aussie was suspended by the coach for behaviour detrimental to the team.
“It’s a predicament that we’re in and that part is no fun. It really isn’t,” Rivers said. “We get to play right now and Ben is not. I want Ben to be playing. That’s his job.”
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Rivers said he received several messages of support after Simmons’ ban from the season opener was announced, but it’s not something that’s worth celebrating.
“Obviously you don’t want any of those things. You get a lot of texts, ‘great job’ and all this stuff and it’s not,” Rivers said. “I don’t think people understand … you want all your players to do well. You cheer for your players. Even when they’re in a tough spot, you want it to go well for them, you do. When you’re put in positions like [Tuesday], it’s no fun.
Simmons will be fined $330,000 for missing today’s game, which will bring his fines for missed games including the preseason to more than $1.7 million.
Rivers said he expected Simmons to rejoin the team when they return home, with the Sixers first home game against Brooklyn on Saturday AEDT.
“I don’t like any player losing money. There’s so many things about this that I don’t like,” Rivers said. “But that still doesn’t mean you don’t have to do your job.”
The comments come as pundits in the US take aim at the under fire Australian for his behaviour.
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony shared a scouting report he wrote on the Australian in 2016 and how certain personality traits were red flags then and have turned into a problem now.
“The question marks around Ben Simmons have always been there for those who have followed him closely,” Givony wrote. “Interesting to look back at the article I wrote about him 5 1/2 years ago.”
https://twitter.com/ChrisAnstey13/status/1450740703009468416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The scouting report read:
“Simmons’ lack of competitiveness in some crucial games has raised questions about his character as a basketball player. While many top picks succumb to the NBA star lifestyle and emerge as average competitors, it’s rare to see that at the collegiate level,” Givony wrote at the time.
“Simmons has displayed an apathy for defence, contact and delivering winning plays in crucial moments. Those troubling revelations in Simmons’ game are cause for concern among decision-makers on lottery teams with whom we’ve had contact.
“The concerns about Simmons’ character didn’t magically appear the moment he arrived on campus in Baton Rouge. Those sentiments also have been expressed by members of the Australian national team who have spent time with him at the junior and senior levels.
“Australian players and coaches who have been around him don’t speak about him in flattering terms, calling him ‘the Yank’ to highlight how different he is compared with most of the players from that country, and perhaps highlight how much moving to the United States at a young age and immersing himself in the AAU world has shaped him.
“Those who know him best say he needs things to revolve around him on and off the court and that he’s often been close-minded to coaching or instruction.”
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