Doc Rivers says comments about Ben Simmons’ ability to lead championship team were ‘misrepresented’

76ers mentor Doc Rivers said Wednesday for the duration of an look on ESPN’s “First Take” that his reviews about Ben Simmons soon after Philadelphia’s Match 7 loss to the Hawks in the 2021 Jap Convention semifinals have been “misrepresented.”

Rivers, who soon after the loss responded, “I really don’t know that problem or the solution to that ideal now” when requested about Simmons’ probable to direct a championship staff, told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on Wednesday that his remarks experienced “nothing to do with Ben” and they have been directed towards concerns he did not want to solution soon after the sport. 

Far more: Will the 76ers trade Ben Simmons? Up to date timeline of rumors, reports 

“I was generally expressing, ‘I’m not answering that crap,’” Rivers said. “Those concerns. What let down me, and I really don’t do this media matter very usually. It was remaining portrayed that I was out there expressing, ‘I really don’t assume we can acquire with Ben,’ And I do.” 

Rivers’ reviews started myriad trade rumors and noted rifts about Simmons, leading to Tuesday’s report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Simmons would not report to the 76ers’ coaching camp next weekend and intends to by no means play another sport for the franchise. 

Wojnarowski noted that Simmons has not spoken to Philadelphia given that a assembly in late August, when he communicated his dreams to 76ers officials. Rivers said he was beforehand aspect of a “good conversation” with Simmons in which he gave his good reasons why he wished to depart, even though he is hopeful Philadelphia can get him to return. 

Far more: Ben Simmons timeline: How 76ers star went from top decide on to polarizing trade target 

“Once we get back in the fold, then we can get to do the job,” Rivers said. “If that doesn’t come about, then I really don’t have an expectation. I really don’t know where by we would go. That will come about if it takes place. But ideal now, Ben is nonetheless aspect of this staff and I’m likely to emphasis on that aspect of it.” 

Simmons nonetheless has 4 yrs and $147 million remaining on his max contract. The 76ers could great or suspend Simmons for his time away, which could discourage his willingness to continue to be off the floor. 

For more on the most recent trade rumors encompassing Simmons, test out this timeline from Sporting News. 

Recapping Simmons’ 2021 season with the 76ers 

Very last season, Philadelphia finished as the No. 1 seed in the Jap Convention with a 49-23 history. It finished among the top-5 groups in the league in normal scoring margin (additionally-5.nine), opponent details for each sport (108.two) and opponent effective discipline target proportion (fifty one.nine) in its initially season below Rivers, with Simmons remaining named a initially-staff all-defensive selection for the second straight yr and an All-Star for the 3rd consecutive season. 

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However, Simmons, who has been criticized for his deficiency of perimeter taking pictures during his profession, struggled mightily offensively for the duration of the second round of the playoffs. In the 76ers’ final a few video games from the Hawks, Simmons tried just fourteen photographs and created 7-of-20 makes an attempt from the no cost-throw line. 

Simmons shot 25-of-73 (33 %) from the no cost-throw line overall for the duration of the playoffs, which was the second-worst proportion from the stripe in NBA playoff history for a player with at the very least fifty makes an attempt, according to CBS Sports activities HQ. 

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