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sports Saturday 5 december 2020

Ben Simmons all in on 76ers’ new buzzword: accountability

By DAN GELSTON called the shots and Rivers
AP Sports Writer did little to reign them in.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Clippers star Paul George
idea of Ben Simmons and even said in a separate
Joel Embiid as a modern- interview Rivers failed to
day odd couple bunking make the necessary ad-
together in a Center City justments to stop the losing
condominium trash-talking and lead the Clippers into
during games of “FIFA 21” the next round.
after playing taxing real Simmons said accountabil-
NBA games momentarily ity -- the new buzzword in
got a rise out of 76ers fans. Philly - starts with the play-
Alas, Simmons was just jok- ers.
ing when he said he moved “There’s only so much that
in with Embiid -- who wel- can happen with players
comed his first son with his and coaches and that’s
girlfriend in September -- on the players to make sure
so the Philadelphia 76ers’ they’re held accountable,
All-Stars could tighten their and if they’re not gonna lis-
bond. ten and do certain things,
Simmons is good with Em- they’re not gonna win,”
biid, the max-contract cor- Simmons said. “But I think
nerstones of a franchise it’s a great opportunity for
that has not yet reached In this Dec. 13, 2019, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons, right, and Joel Embiid talk during us, being younger guys, to
the championship heights an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Philadelphia. have somebody like Doc
so many expected when Associated Press come in. We gotta get it
they were drafted two were not ready to com- mindset.” it already. You can tell the done.”
years apart. pete for a title when the Boston swept the 76ers in teams that were doing well The Sixers also hired former
As for the rest of the team, NBA restarted the season in the postseason and ended in the bubble were tight- Houston executive Daryl
the Sixers are ready to hit the Disney bubble. former coach Brett Brown’s knit and held accountable Morey to run basketball op-
the reset button in coach “We weren’t in a posi- reign after seven seasons for certain things going on. erations and gave the fran-
Doc Rivers’ first season run- tion to go into the bubble that put him in charge of You kind of see it with the chise a draft-night overhaul
ning a team that netted and win,” Simmons said. “I the lose-first Process era to Clippers now, things that with deals that rid them of
them just the sixth seed in think our mindset was off. consecutive 50-win sea- are coming out.” Al Horford and Richardson
the Eastern Conference Accountability is a huge sons and berths in the East- Whoa, wait a minute. The and brought in sharpshoot-
and a first-round exit. For- part of winning. I think he’s ern Conference semifinals. Clippers? The same team er Seth Curry and drafted
mer Sixers guard Josh Rich- definitely right. Bringing So what was the problem in Rivers coached last sea- Kentucky guard Tyrese
ardson, traded to Dallas in Doc and all of these guys the bubble? son that blew a 3-1 playoff Maxey.
the offseason, lamented in in, Doc’s team, with all of “I mean, you can’t just series lead in the Western Simmons says he’s 100%
August the underachieving these coaches around, the come into a situation like Conference semis and led healthy following surgery
season could be pinned maturity has definitely risen the bubble if you guys him to leaving Los Angeles? on his left knee in August
on a lack of accountability with the team. It’s been aren’t ready and don’t The Clippers were painted that kept him from playing
from management to the great to see that and see have that chemistry and in a story this week on The in the postseason. He aver-
roster. guys be accountable for accountability already,” Athletic as an organization aged 16.4 points, 8.0 assists
Simmons said Richardson certain things, and come Simmons said Friday. “Doc without any, well, account- and 7.8 rebounds in his third
was right and the Sixers here ready with a different and I have spoken about ability where star players full season.q

NFL further limits player access to facilities amid virus

By BARRY WILNER ries or in rehab programs those days.
AP Pro Football Writer may enter the team com- Tryouts will be permitted
The NFL is further limiting plex. Coaches can access on those days with only
player access to team the facility but must work “essential football person-
facilities as it attempts to in their own offices and nel” attending. Players try-
enhance safety measures can’t conduct meetings ing out for a team are sub-
during the COVID-19 pan- except virtually. ject to current testing rules.
demic. Teams playing on Mon- Such arrangements were
In a memo sent to the 32 day nights can next have agreed to by the players’
clubs and obtained by The players in their facilities union.
Associated Press, teams on Thursday, and teams USA Today first reported
must close their facilities with Thursday night games the memo being sent to
for two days after games, must close the complex to the clubs.
with some exceptions. players until Sunday. The NFL also is lifting the
Beginning Monday, that “There are no exceptions 62-player game travel New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) passes
all teams playing on a to this prohibition,” the limit for teams. Each team under pressure from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Kerry
Sunday must close those league wrote. “Approvals can determine how many Hyder (92) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) in the second
facilities the next two days previously received for in- players to take to road half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 15,
2020.
— except for clubs playing person meetings will not games, including prac- Associated Press
on the subsequent Thurs- apply on these two days.” tice squad players. That
day. Only players needing Locker rooms and cafete- takes effect for this week’s with filling out the 48-man the coronavirus on game
medical attention for inju- rias must be closed during games, and should help roster in case of issues with days.q