Ben Simmons has opened up about his fallout with former Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers, revealing his anger over Rivers’ response following the team’s elimination from the 2021 NBA playoffs.
In ESPN’s upcoming documentary Being Ben, Simmons recalled Rivers’ comments after Philadelphia lost Game 7 of its Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Atlanta Hawks. Asked whether Simmons could be the point guard on a championship team, Rivers replied, “I don’t know that question or the answer to that right now.”
Simmons, who was Philadelphia’s starting point guard and an All-Star, did not hide his reaction to the answer.
“How did I feel? I was like, ‘What a piece of sh*t,’” Simmons said in the documentary, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Simmons explained that he expected Rivers to handle the situation differently given their relationship, while also acknowledging the pressure coaches face.
“When you have a relationship with somebody and they have your back, I think certain things are supposed to be handled certain ways,” Simmons said. “But then you also gotta look at it from the side of ‘He’s got a job.’ You know, he’s making his money. He ain’t trying to lose his job or anything like that.”
Simmons added that people can react differently when pressure increases.
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“So, when times get tough, people start panicking. People throw people under the bus, and that’s just — it’s just what happened,” he said.
The exchange became a defining moment in Simmons’ relationship with Philadelphia. He struggled offensively during the Hawks series, including passing up an open dunk opportunity late in Game 7, and requested a trade during the following offseason.
The documentary also examines Simmons’ shooting struggles. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year never developed a reliable three-point shot, finishing his seven NBA seasons with a 59.2% free-throw percentage and just five made three-pointers.
Simmons subsequently dealt with back injuries and spent more than a year away from the NBA. After last playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25, he signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings in September 2026.
Being Ben explores Simmons’ career, his departure from Philadelphia and his return to basketball. The documentary also features interviews with Rivers, former 76ers teammate Danny Green and former assistant coach Lloyd Pierce. It is scheduled to debut Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
