“It’s the first time I’ve heard of this. “ Doc Rivers does not hide his astonishment after ESPN’s dense article on the Ben Simmons saga which ” haunted the 76ers for several months. According to the American media, in addition to the criticisms made against him after the last playoffs, the Australian would not have appreciated that his coach did not come to see him in Los Angeles, where he was training last summer.
He obviously expected more from Doc Rivers while at the same time, the player did not respond to the technician’s calls and text messages… We recall that at the same time, several teammates had also tried to visit him but the 76ers point guard refused to see them.
“No one supported him more than me”assures Doc Rivers today, interviewed by the Bucks County Courier Times. “I was sent a recording of almost an hour where I praise it again and again. That’s what you heard every day last year. “
The coach considers that the elements that come up today are only “ poses (intended to accuse the other side of being at the origin of the divorce?). Besides, that’s why I don’t talk about it, I don’t get involved in it. I leave that to the leaders and Ben’s entourage. I stay away from this story. But some stuff made me laugh and I feel bad about it. Ben is a good boy, I want him to want to succeed. “
Without referring directly to his comments on Ben Simmons after the playoffs, Doc Rivers considers that it is also the duty of a coach to say the ” truth “.
” Some coaches handle it well, some don’t. Sometimes I don’t do it well, even though I try. I’m not perfect either. In the end, all I’m tryna do is win “, notes the coach.
The latter repeats that he has always “supported his leader and that he always wanted a ” mutual respect between his players and him. ” You have to respect each other to be successful in life.“
