Less than a week after parting ways with the Los Angeles Clippers, Doc Rivers found himself a brand new job as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The dollar amount of Rivers’ deal has yet to be announced, but it has been revealed that the contract will be for five years.
So now what?
This week, Rivers had an introductory press conference in his new capacity as Sixers head coach and immediately got down to the nitty-gritty.
When asked about his new star, Ben Simmons, and his timidness as it pertains to shooting jumpers, Rivers kept it as real as possible.
“I am so much more concerned with our team scoring than individuals scoring,” he said.
“Ben has proven that he is a guy that can create scoring… I don’t see a lot of bad there.”
Asked what to do to get Ben Simmons to shoot outside jumpers let alone 3’s, Doc Rivers: “I am so much more concerned with our team scoring than individuals scoring… Ben has proven that he is a guy that can create scoring… I don’t see a lot of bad there.”
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) October 5, 2020
Simmons attempted 11 threes in 2017, 6 in 2018, and 7 in 2019. For his NBA regular season career, he is 2 of 24 from beyond the arc.
Over the course of two separate playoff runs, the 24-year-old has attempted exactly one three pointer – and missed it.
Poor Kyle Kuzma is out here catching strays left and right. https://t.co/fxD23GLi4L
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 5, 2020
Now, to Rivers’ point – Simmons is immensely talented. Even without a three point shot in his arsenal, he has consistently averaged more than 16 points per game in each of the past two seasons.
In 2018, Simmons shot 54 percent from the field and in 2019 he shot 58 percent. That coupled with the roughly eight assists and nine rebounds you can expect out of him per game, and it is easy to see why he is regarded as highly as he is.
Rivers touched on a number of other intriguing topics during his press conference.
“[Embiid and Simmons] won 65 percent of their games together…” he said.
Nikki immediately reacted to the big night. https://t.co/88VaRXJzpt
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 5, 2020
“If you watch my teams, I don’t get lost in what positions guys play. My teams have always been very good offensively, top-five overall, and we score points.”
As far as Rivers is concerned, he is taking over a stacked unit.
“I love the pieces here…” he admitted. “This team is loaded.”
Above all else, Rivers doesn’t want to change this roster. He wants all the players to be exactly who they are already – just better versions of it.
“I think you have to be who you are,” he said.
“I think the mistake a lot of teams made, is that everyone wanted to be Golden State, but no one could shoot like Golden State, so to me, everyone made a mistake. You have to be the best version of you and not apologize for that.”
Anthony Davis has a simple request for Lakers fans. https://t.co/AmyVusgHRO
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 5, 2020
The Sixers are going to be fascinating to watch this season. They will either exceed all expectations and become a serious contender for the Eastern Conference crown, or they will regress even worse than they did this past season and need to be blown up.
One way or another, though – it promises to be a fun ride.
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