Ben Simmons Attacks Doc Rivers in New ESPN Documentary
Ben Simmons called his former Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers “a piece of shit” in a newly released ESPN documentary, breaking his silence on the messy exit that ended his tenure with the franchise. The sharp criticism centers on the aftermath of the team’s 2021 postseason collapse against the Atlanta Hawks, when Philadelphia bowed out in a surprising seven-game series on their home court.
Simmons became the primary target of public frustration after passing up an open dunk in the fourth quarter of Game 7 in favor of a teammate. That single play triggered years of debate across the league and severely strained relations inside the organization. Coach Doc Rivers vermied nach der Partie ein Bekenntnis und antwortete auf die Frage, ob Simmons der Spielmacher eines Meisterteams sein könne, dass er in diesem Moment die Antwort darauf nicht wisse.
The Viral Comment That Shatterd the Relationship
Rivers’ post-game press conference remark spread rapidly online, deeply offending the Australian guard. Simmons described his immediate reaction to hearing the quote during the documentary project. “I thought to myself in that moment: ‘What a piece of shit,'” Simmons said in the documentary. “If you have a relationship with someone, then there are always ways that you solve problems. With him, it was clear that he just didn’t want to lose his job.”
Hearing Ben Simmons was pretty ecstatic to not be traded from the Sixers to Houston for James Harden and believes his team is capable of bringing a title to Philadelphia. Doc Rivers is also a huge fan of Simmons and believes the best is yet to come with two-time NBA All-Star.
The former top pick argued that self-preservation drove the coach’s public response. Simmons asserted that people in high-pressure sports environments often panic and choose to deflect blame onto others rather than accept accountability. Rivers maintained his position with Philadelphia for two more seasons before moving on to coach the Milwaukee Bucks. Following his subsequent departure from Milwaukee, Rivers transitioned primarily to a role as a media analyst.
Fallout and New Beginning in Sacramento
The breakdown in Philadelphia proved irreparable. Simmons never played another game for the 76ers, holding out at the start of the following campaign before the franchise traded him to the Brooklyn Nets. Chronic back injuries derailed his momentum in New York, leading him to sit out the entire preceding season as he recovered. This season marks a fresh start for the former All-Star, who signed a minimum contract to join the Sacramento Kings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the incident between Ben Simmons and Doc Rivers happen?
The core conflict originated in June 2021 during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, when the Philadelphia 76ers lost Game 7 of their playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. Simmons discussed the fallout years later in an ESPN documentary.
Which team did Ben Simmons join after leaving Brooklyn?
Simmons signed a minimum contract with the Sacramento Kings to pursue a fresh start after injuries limited his playing time with the Brooklyn Nets.
What coaching position did Doc Rivers hold most recently?
Doc Rivers most recently coached the Milwaukee Bucks before transitioning to work as a media analyst following his departure from the team.
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