76ers' Dave Sholler Denies Ben Simmons Rumors: 'Steaming Pile of Trash'

Philadelphia 76ers vice president of communications Dave Sholler had some strong thoughts on a report from the New York Daily News' Chris Sheridan that put both coach Brett Brown and All-Star Ben Simmons under the microscope.

Not only did Sheridan write that Brown had lost the locker room and would lose his job with a first-round exit in the postseason, but he alleged Simmons missed a March 25 contest against the Orlando Magic because he had been partying with girlfriend Kendall Jenner in Miami, not a "stomach virus" as the team initially disclosed. Sholler responded to that report by calling it a "steaming pile of trash":

Sheridan has since offered a correction to his report, noting: "A previous version of this story stated that Ben Simmons had been out in Miami with Kendall Jenner prior to missing a game in Orlando. He was in Orlando."

Sheridan also reported that Philadelphia general manager Elton Brand told ownership prior to the trade deadline that Simmons should be dealt because he is "not coachable and was a regular-season player annually exposed in the playoffs."

Sheridan added: "The idea was immediately shot down, and Brand was told that Simmons and [Joel] Embiid were untouchable—even if Anthony Davis was the prize."

"Are you talking about regular season?" Simmons responded when asked about Sheridan's report. "We are talking about the playoffs here. Unless you want to talk about something else, go somewhere else with it."

Per the Sydney Morning Herald, Brown said: "I am aware of it [the report]. I have not read it, and I won't. I have nothing to say about it."

Philadelphia is tied with the sixth-seeded Brooklyn Nets at one game apiece in the teams' first-round matchup. Simmons had nine points and seven rebounds in a 111-102 loss in Game 1 but bounced back with a triple-double (18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds) in a 145-123 victory in Game 2.

Following the in-season acquisitions of Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and others, the Sixers are looking to build on last year's run to the conference semifinals.