Doc Rivers Shares Thoughts on Ben Simmons’ Struggles With Nets

Next week, another All-Star game will be played without Ben Simmons in the mix. Two years ago, Simmons was one of two representatives for the Philadelphia 76ers at All-Star weekend, as he was supposed to play in his third-straight All-Star game.

Last year, Simmons didn’t make it as he sat out the entire year. Although many believed the three-time All-Star would get back on track and thrive during his debut season with the Brooklyn Nets, considering the stellar talent that surrounded him, but Simmons hasn’t been close to that same player.

Playing 40 games with the Nets at this point, Simmons has averaged seven points, six rebounds, and six assists. Lately, he’s moved to a reserve role, as he’s come off the bench for the last two games, averaging 18 minutes on the floor, as opposed to his season average of 27 minutes per game.

Recently, Simmons opened up on his struggles and made it clear he’s still working his way back to becoming the player he once was with the Sixers. His former head coach, Doc Rivers, believes that Simmons can repair his issues with some hard work and time.

“I always have an affection for the guys that I coach, and it never goes away,” Rivers told reporters in Brooklyn on Saturday. “It doesn't. I believe he can get back to where he was with us, especially now, I think, because he'll have the ball in his hands more. I thought that's what we did that really kind of freed him up. It's just gonna take time. What has it been a year and a half? I don't think it’ll be overnight, but he's working. And that's all he can do. I hope the best.”

Simmons’ stint with the Sixers didn’t end on a high note. Through his first four years with the organization, Simmons played under the management of Brett Brown. Following the Brown era, Doc Rivers joined the Sixers’ organization, where he coached Simmons for one season before the former All-Star held out for a trade for more than half a season.

At this point, it’s clear that Simmons and Rivers didn’t have the best player-coach relationship, especially after the way everything transpired. As Simmons believes that Rivers threw him under the bus two seasons ago and didn’t take his mental concerns seriously at the start of last season, the Nets guard has been open about his not-so-positive views on Rivers.

Despite all of that, the feelings aren’t mutual.

“I mean, it's not like we're enemies or anything like that,” Rivers continued. “You know, at the beginning of it right away, none of us talk to anybody. I don't think that was awful, but that's gone now. And that's in the past. You know, we're human. We move on. That's part of part of life, man. Just stuff happens. You just kind of move on from it and still love people. And usually, that energy is way more better than hate, I can tell you that.”

With Simmons now playing against Joel Embiid, Rivers, and the Sixers three times since the split, it’s business as usual when the Sixers and the Nets battle it out. Now, all of the focus is off of the Simmons versus the Sixers saga as Philadelphia shifts its attention toward winning a title, and Simmons focuses on getting back to playing at an All-Star level.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.