Former NBA legend Scottie Pippen had some seriously harsh critiques of Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons and how he was utilized by Doc Rivers.

Pippen said he felt Rivers totally misused Simmons and should have just pulled him at the end of games to avoid him going to the free-throw line. He then ripped into the Sixers star's mentality and implicitly suggested Simmons crumbles mentally:

“If Ben Simmons miss a free throw, he gonna start passing it before he get to the free throw line on the other end,” Pippen said in an interview with GQ. “He didn’t even wanna cross half court with the basketball because he was so afraid of being humiliated going to that foul line. That’s why he didn’t try to make that dunk at the end of the game. He’s been doing it all year, bro.”

To be fair, Pippen did hail Simmons as a “good” basketball player and said he has “no weakness” aside from his inability to shoot the ball. It just so happened the shooting struggles played a big role in the Sixers' demise.

Realistically, Pippen was every bit as hard on Rivers' coaching method. He noted the Los Angeles Lakers of old would occasionally take Shaq out of games to avoid him going to the line, whereas Rivers rides with Simmons to the end. Pippen even said Rivers made Simmons a “failure.”

Of course, it should be said the Sixers relied on Simmons–especially towards the end of the Hawks series–to stick to Trae Young, something he did exceptionally well.

However, Rivers has faced plenty criticism for his lack of in-game adjustments especially in the fourth quarter of games.

All told, Pippen does not seem very impressed with the Sixers' point guard-head coach duo. It remains to be seen just how long that duo remains together as the Sixers sort through trade scenarios.