Brett Brown responded to criticism over the usage of Ben Simmons in summer league play during Thursday's game. Simmons has not played in the Sixers' last two games — a choice made by the team, not Simmons.
"There were some hits that he took, it's reckless and unfair," Brown said. "He's a good kid and he's following instruction and we look forward very much to developing him."
A few of those hits came from Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who criticized the decision to rest Simmons (see story). "You're 19," Thomas said on NBATV. "Earn your money, get on the floor and play.”
Brown responded in an interview during Thursday's loss to the Nets, saying it was the team's decision to rest Simmons.
"I think if there's any responsibility that I have — and our organization has — is to keep our players healthy," Brown said.
"It's our decision collaboratively to take care of him," Brown said. "This is our direction. It has nothing to do with him."
Simmons has averaged 10.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists in five summer league games. He's shot 34.2 percent from the field and committed 3.4 turnovers per game.
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Brown's full response can be seen here.
