Sunday night’s 116-100 loss to the Grizzlies was another performance where Ben Simmons started the game aggressively on the offensive end of the court but then tailed off. Rivers said Simmons, like everyone on the team, got tired playing on the second night of a back-to-back and indicated that he’s not worried about the 24-year-old’s offense.
“I think you guys are way more concerned about Ben’s scoring than I am,” Rivers told FortyEightMinutes and other media after the loss.
The team simply ran out of energy and the former Clippers coach said there really wasn’t many positives from the game other than the fact that they maintained their health.
https://twitter.com/NBACrouse/status/1378882066851373056
Here’s more from Philadelphia
- Tyrese Maxey missed the Grizzlies contest because of an inclusive test. “He can’t catch a break right now,” Rivers said of the point guard while adding that the No. 20 overall pick would have seen a role in the rotation tonight with Joel Embiid sitting out and more minutes to go around.
- Rivers said (after the Memphis game) that he hasn’t considered giving Paul Reed a starting nod on nights like Sunday when Embiid doesn’t play. “I like Paul but I don’t think he’s ready.”
- As we recently passed along, the Sixers are among the teams monitoring Bradley Beal‘s situation with the Wizards. Beal remains happy with Washington but several teams are hoping that changes.
- Rivers (prior to Sixers-Cavs game earlier in the week) said that one of the positives from the pandemic was that NBA coaches are talking with each other more often. Rivers said he’s an “open book” for other coaches, adding that he also leans on some of the league’s younger minds.
