The Philadelphia 76ers had just suffered their first defeat of the 2021 playoffs, a 122-114 loss to the Washington Wizards in Game 4 of their first-round series. The catalyst for Washington's victory had been intentionally fouling star point guard Ben Simmons three times in the final three minutes of the game.



When Rivers was asked afterward whether he'd considered taking Simmons out, the 76ers' head coach was indignant.

"No," Rivers said flatly. "You want me to take Ben Simmons off the floor? I'll pass on that one. He's pretty good, so I'll pass on that suggestion."

Two weeks later, Rivers was addressing similar questions after another loss. The Atlanta Hawks had just overcome a 26-point lead in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. And they had done so in part by utilizing the same tactic: exploiting Simmons' free throw woes.

Atlanta employed the "Hack-A-Ben" strategy to perfection -- Simmons went 4-for-14 from the free throw line to fall to 22-for-67 in the postseason.

With Philadelphia's season suddenly on the line, Rivers' tone was more muted.

"When Ben makes them, we get to keep him in," Rivers said. "When he doesn't, we can't. That's just the way it is."

Bully Hendry would have signed Harper for 2.5 Billion over 30 years

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

I assume this has been discussed many times, but why doesn't the NBA simply give a team the option to keep the ball instead of shooting free throws?

Suns have to be the overall favorite at this point though.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

ok shakes, please convince me that the Hawks can beat the Bucks. I am on team Trae completely

Trae Young will be a bust. Book It!

ok shakes, please convince me that the Hawks can beat the Bucks. I am on team Trae completely

That 5-23 shooting really got you off last night, huh?

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

That 5-23 shooting really got you off last night, huh?

I hate the Bucks. Too many cheese heads for me to ever cheer for

+7 for the game

Trae Young will be a bust. Book It!

That 5-23 shooting really got you off last night, huh?

Trae Young will be a bust. Book It!

Yes it is.

When this is all over, which is not going to be for a while, Trump will be re-elected President.

Yes it is.

When this is all over, which is not going to be for a while, Trump will be re-elected President.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

The last 30 seconds took 30 minutes.

Officials were clowns.

Thankfully George choked.

Bully Hendry would have signed Harper for 2.5 Billion over 30 years

The last 30 seconds took 30 minutes.

Officials were clowns.

Thankfully George choked.

Trae Young will be a bust. Book It!

Bully Hendry would have signed Harper for 2.5 Billion over 30 years

Giannis is makin' a lotta dumb mistakes

Trae Young will be a bust. Book It!

wrong thread

I find myself cheering for the Suns in this series. I do not know why….

Bully Hendry would have signed Harper for 2.5 Billion over 30 years

I don't typically participate in the NBA threads but wasn't that last-second alley-oop offensive goaltending?

I didn't see any news stories even consider it. Seemed clear to me.

So you can basically take a shot from out of bounds and as long as someone touches it, it counts?

Never heard of that.