Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers said the typical fun that surrounds opening day is muted with star point guard Ben Simmons back home under team suspension as his trade demand has kept the team dealing with drama. "It's a predicament that we're in and that part is no fun. It really isn't," Rivers said Wednesday ahead of his team's first game against the New Orleans Pelicans. "We get to play right now and Ben is not. I want Ben to be playing. That's his job." Rivers kicked Simmons out of practice this week. His first practice back since last years playoffs. "Obviously you don't want any of those things. You get a lot of texts, "great job" and all this stuff and it's not," Rivers said. "I don't think people understand ... you want all your players to do well. You cheer for your players. Even when they're in a tough spot, you want it to go well for them, you do. When you're put in positions like [T