Rivers

Joel Embiid, Doc Rivers don’t sound confident in Ben Simmons

By Elsie A. Dotson 3 months ago

Ben Simmons had a chance to redeem himself on Sunday at the end of a series noted for his offensive stagnation.

He did not.

The Philadelphia 76ers point guard posted his fourth single-digit scoring effort of the Eastern Conference semifinals and again not only looked unable to shoot the ball, but unwilling. His five-point, 13-assist, eight-rebound effort arrived as the Atlanta Hawks completed a stunning upset in seven games to topple the top-seeded 76ers and advance to the conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

While Simmons’ box score met the usual criteria cited by advocates who point to his defense, playmaking and rebounding as more than enough to overcome his shooting woes, the fact remains. Simmons is an All-Star guard who often can’t and frequently won’t shoot from the perimeter — and sometimes elsewhere. 

Doc Rivers doesn’t know if Ben Simmons can lead a championship team

With another disappointing early

… Read More

ESPN Father’s Day feature to spotlight relationship between Spokane’s Steve Gleason, son Rivers

By Elsie A. Dotson 3 months ago

A Father’s Day special from ESPN’s “SportsCenter Featured” program should be appointment viewing for graduates of Washington State and Gonzaga Prep, and residents of Spokane and the greater Inland Northwest.

At 5 a.m. Sunday, ESPN2 will air the segment “A Father’s Resilience,” highlighting the relationship between former G-Prep, WSU and New Orleans Saints football player Steve Gleason and his family.

Gleason and his wife Michel Rae Varisco learned they were pregnant with their first child, Rivers, just six weeks after the Spokane native was diagnosed with ALS. According to a tweet from ESPN, Gleason will be getting “a special Father’s Day surprise from his son” in the nationally televised feature.

“Dad, I think you’re a great leader and you teach us to be resilient in hard times,” Rivers is quoted as saying in 47-second trailer posted on Twitter.

From the day his son was conceived, Gleason habitually kept video journals

… Read More