Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA Twitter react to Ben Simmons suspension
ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski and others on NBA Twitter react to Ben Simmons being ejected from practice and suspended from the season opener.
Ben Simmons does not want to play for the Philadelphia 76ers, something he has made abundantly clear throughout the entire NBA offseason.
But in a surprising turn of events, it looks as though the 76ers doesn’t want Simmons in the season opener due to “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Tensions reached a boiling point on Tuesday when an apathetic Simmons showed up to practice before their Wednesday night game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania shared what appears to be the final straw before Simmons was handed the one-game suspension.
Sources: Doc Rivers asked Ben Simmons to join a defensive drill today. Simmons refused. Rivers asked again. Simmons said no again.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2021
Rivers then told Simmons he should go home, and Simmons dropped the ball and left.
NBA Twitter reacts to Ben Simmons suspension
A culmination of a contentious offseason, NBA journalists on Twitter are sharing the details of the situation.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers threw Ben Simmons out of practice today and the suspension came shortly thereafter, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2021
Ahead of getting thrown out of 76ers practice, Ben Simmons declined several times to sub into a drill, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2021
ESPN Sources: The 76ers have fined Ben Simmons $1.4M for his absence from four preseason games (360K each) and levied numerous team fines for missed practices, on-court workouts and meetings. He hasn’t earned any money since returning to the team on October 11.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2021
There’s plenty of room for jokes though, as Simmons has reportedly been answering his phone in the middle of practice in a blatant sign of disrespect.
Ben Simmons (feelings) OUT for Sixers at Pelicans. https://t.co/GDzi6eGsou
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 19, 2021
When Ben Simmons phone ring at Sixers practice pic.twitter.com/Pgm5I90AIw
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 19, 2021
Doc Rivers: “You’re not going hard enough, get out of practice!”
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) October 19, 2021
Ben Simmons: https://t.co/V1NxSTWTzl
I’d love to talk to the guy in Ben Simmons circle who keeps reassuring him that every move he’s made is the correct one. Fascinating twist of logic
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 19, 2021
Ben Simmons and the Sixers right now pic.twitter.com/hbB5k1UHyh
— Isaac K. Lee (@IsaacKLee) October 19, 2021
ben simmons walked into sixers training camp and said: pic.twitter.com/ZH5AVTNQeN
— alex (@steven_lebron) October 19, 2021
Doc Rivers: Ben, join this defensive drill.
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 19, 2021
Ben Simmons: https://t.co/rRT94laqew
Sixers went through all of those years of losing and all they’re gonna get out of it is a hilarious 30 for 30 https://t.co/NKoilroVuz
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) October 19, 2021
Simmons’ teammates, some of which flew out to Los Angeles to plead with Simmons on rejoining the team, seem to have had enough with the distracting Simmons drama. Joel Embiid was one of those teammates.
“At this point I don’t care about that man, honestly. He does whatever he wants”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 19, 2021
Embiid speaks out after Ben Simmons got kicked out of practice
(via @NBCSPhilly)pic.twitter.com/rvRpP3dPW4
Paul Pierce, who spent most of his 19-year career playing for current 76ers coach Doc Rivers, weighed in on the matter, saying the team wouldn’t want “a toxic culture” when trying to win a championship.
The Philadelphia 76’ers need to resolve this Ben Simmons situation not good u don’t want to have a toxic culture when u trying to win a chip thoughts?
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) October 19, 2021
With Ben Simmons out, it looks as if three of the four point guards listed on the 76ers depth chart are currently out for the season opener. The only remaining point guard is Tyrese Maxey, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. With Simmons gone, Maxey has an opportunity to build on his first season as the starting point guard for the 76ers.
With Simmons absent, it was Maxey who took the reps alongside the starters in training camp, a trend that looks to continue in Wednesday’s opener.
Trending. Doc Rivers comments on Ben Simmons suspension. light