Ben Simmons-Sixers
Photo: Charles Fox/Philadelphia Inquirer

Doc Rivers was once again called to address Ben Simmons’ lack of shooting in the first few games of the season, after the Philadelphia 76ers secured their first home win vs. the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

The Sixers’ head coach once again said he is not concerned about Simmons’ hesitation to shoot as long as he is still ‘playing great defense, running the team and winning games’.

(via CBS Sports):

“I could care less,” Rivers replied when asked how he felt about Simmons’ hesitancy to shoot early in the season. “I’ll let you guys talk about what Ben doesn’t do. I just want Ben to keep playing great defense, running our team, and winning games.”

“You keep winning games and you don’t worry about who scores. Ben missed some great shots tonight. If he had converted two or three of the layups that he had and got to the foul line a little bit more, he would have been fine. We played good offense tonight. We just couldn’t make shots, literally by our shooters. So that’s all I’m concerned with.”

Simmons is shooting less than his last season averages in the first four games of the 2020/21 campaign. The All-Star point forward is taking 10.0 shots per game (11.4 last season) shooting 50.0% from the field and 58.2% from the free-throw line.

However, he’s still offering high-standard performances in the defensive side of the court, in rebounding and of course playmaking.

The Sixers improved their regular season record to 3-1, after their win against the Toronto Raptors.