And Simmons apologized a day later, not for ducking questions, but for how he ducked them. Simmons admits he's a private person but points out he's been cooperative. Which is mostly true. Simmons has consented to stories on his family, on his personal life, on the racial discriminations he's faced. John Blake, who almost always was a genteel soul, didn't grant that kind of access.
Every head coach chooses how far they've gotta go.
The only reason we care why Kenyatta Wright wasn't at practice was because you care. Fans make the sporting world go round. When Simmons talks to us, he's really talking to you. When he answers our questions, he's answering yours. When he pops off at us, he's popping off at you.