Doc Rivers compares Ben Simmons to Trump voters over 76ers holdout

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks with Ben Simmons #25 during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers compared Ben Simmons’ unwillingness to play with that of voters who believe Donald Trump won the election.

Sometimes, there’s no way to convince a basketball player to stay with team — almost like there’s no way to convince some Americans that Donald Trump never won the 2020 presidential election.

At least that’s the comparison Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers is drawing when speaking about whether All-Star forward Ben Simmons will be returning to Philadelphia this season. The dissatisfied Simmons has made it clear he wants to be traded and refuses to play another game for the 76ers, but Rivers remains undeterred in his quest to convince Simmons to stay.

Apparently, convincing Simmons to stay is like convincing a Trump voter that he didn’t actually win the presidential election.

76ers: “Doc, go do some damage control on national TV so Ben will want to stay in Philly.”

Doc: “There’s times that I think we’re getting through, and there’s times that I think I’m talking to people who still believe Trump won the election.” pic.twitter.com/laAvKOdtGN
— ProCity Hoops (@ProCityHoops) September 24, 2021

“There’s times that I think we’re getting through,” Rivers said during his MSNBC appearance. “And there’s times that I think that I’m talking to people who still believe Trump won the election. So I’m not sure, but I’m going to keep trying.”

Doc Rivers compares Ben Simmons’ mentality to Trump voters refuting presidential loss

While Rivers may have just been trying to explain Simmons’ stubbornness to a liberal MSNBC audience, the comparison stings in that it implies Simmons is being unreasonable in his request.

Rivers’ frustrated comments are a result of the impasse the organization has reached with Simmons. As a three-time All-Star and one fo the best defensive players in the league, Philadelphia understandably wants something back for Simmons, yet they have zero trade leverage. For that reason, they refuse to trade Simmons since fellow NBA teams feel that Simmons will be out of there no matter what they offer. For now, it appears Simmons will sit out the season and accrue fines as the 76ers determine his NBA future.

With training camp looming, the situation has worsened even more. A recent report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania indicates that Simmons has even turned away 76ers teammates who wish to convince him to stay another season.

If Simmons’ teammates can’t convince, it’s unlikely anyone will — especially not Rivers with this insulting comparison.

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