Ben Simmons feels like the Sixers are trying to force his return to the court no matter how he feels mentally, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Simmons met with the team’s therapist for the first time on Monday, after the team resumed fining him last week. He was previously unwilling to discuss his mental health with any team doctors.
Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul, says the team’s actions have worsened his client’s mental health.
“I truly believe the fines, the targeting, the negative publicity shined on the issue — that’s very unnecessary and has furthered the mental health issues for Ben,” Paul said. “Either you help Ben, or come out and say he’s lying. Which one is it?”
A Sixers official told Charania that the team was “absolutely not” trying to force Simmons to play, nor are they claiming that he’s lying. The team’s stance is that Simmons should participate in all Sixers activities unless the team’s therapist or Simmons’ personal specialists report that he is incapable of playing or practicing.
The official emphasized that, as of this evening, the Sixers had not been presented with information that would prevent Simmons from fully participating with the team.
Charania relays that the Sixers sent Simmons a schedule Thursday that included tonight’s game against the Raptors, which the Sixers lost 115-109. Simmons did not play in the game. The team has fined him each time this has occurred previously, so another fine could be imminent.
Paul says Simmons is open to playing for the Sixers again, but he’s not mentally ready to return to the court yet.
“In this case, we have to get Ben help and not put finances above mental health,” Paul said. “As an agent, I understand contractual obligations and I hold myself accountable in this business. But if someone is telling you something, we can no longer turn a blind eye in today’s world.
“This is no longer about a trade. This is about finding a place where we can help Ben get back to his mental strength and get back on the floor. I want him on the floor playing the game that he loves. I want Ben on the floor whether that’s in a 76ers uniform or any other uniform, that’s not up to me, but I want him in a state where he can resume play. We want to cooperate and want to work him back on the floor.”
Team officials say they’re happy to hear that Simmons is open to playing for the Sixers again, per Charania. They welcome his return to the lineup. They also insist that they’ve shown good faith through the entire process, including offering any assistance Simmons has needed.
Simmons will continue meeting with the team’s therapist and has given permission for the therapist to confidentially discuss his treatment with Simmons’ own personal specialists.
Paul says he holds no hard feelings with Sixers ownership, management, or the city of Philadelphia, he just wants what’s best for his client.
“I don’t think the 76ers are a bad organization. Josh Harris and David Blitzer are great governors, they’ve done a great job with the organization. I have respect for (president of basketball operations) Daryl Morey,” Paul said. “Ben has a mental issue, let’s support him. I’m happy he got to a place where he realized and accepted help. I understand it’s a business, but even in business, you need humanity.
“I have a great level of respect and love for the city of Philadelphia, as someone who loves the game, but this isn’t about that. This is about Ben getting back to a place mentally where he can be back on the floor — and only Ben can tell us when that is. We have to allow him to do that.”
It’s time to quit calling Shams a journalist. He’s too much in hock to Klutch. He’s become their press secretary who just comes out with their press releases every day.
Agreed
Trade Simmons for Brogdon, another player and Pacers First
Move on, and become a nice organization
According to some stars, Rockets are not the best organization right now because they have experiences to play hard ball with coach and players
76ers want to be a nice organization
Brogden cant be traded till at least the next offseason because of when he signed his extension. His trade ineligibility lasts way longer than other players signed in the offseason who can be dealt mostly by Dec 15th or at worst by the end of Jan. The Brogden offer has been off the table since the second he signed an extension, and other than Warren no other players with close to the necessary salary are fits in PHI since they are all centers.
Simmons was as good as gone when Doc did that interview. The big f*** up was that Morey was certain either Beal or Dame would demand a trade, and by the time they both decided not to it was late Aug and all the other teams had moved on with building rosters. Dude waited till no teams really had options for making deals because he thought for sure Dame was done with POR and he could build a package around BS.
Brogdon cannot be traded…try again
Brogdon just resigned with the Pacers.
Shams job is to get clicks by getting people like you to talk about him.
The guys name is Shams I think that says it all
sham
/SHam/
noun
1.
a thing that is not what it is purported to be.
“the proposed legislation is a farce and a sham”
His job is to get clicks. However it is borderline unethical reporting when his agent is Rich Paul. He should be removed from this story since he shares the same agent as Simmons. It’s one sided and a sham.
I support Ben Simmons, but objectively speaking, this article seems like a one page advertisement. He is definitely getting his moneys worth.
Welp…. sounds like Rich Paul is greasing the sliding board for Ben to land in Wells Fargo for at least until mid-December (trade for Westbrook?).
I’d guess he’ll play on a road trip before suiting up in front of the Philly fans. The soap opera continues…
Westbrook!!!??? I’m pretty sure any team can make a better offer.
Any matching salary besides Wall/Love is a better offer than Westbrook at 44M.
The Sixers would be better off with Wall than with Westbrick.
That being said, I would love to see Simmons go to the Lakers.
It’s not like they don’t have enough problems in LA as it is already.
Even with down value for sure teams around the league would offer something better than Wall or Westbrook. Just not nearly what Philly thinks they should get. Brogden and stuff would have been miles better for instance.
And the Rockets would work well with Simmons and all those young guys
Why do you hate Westbrook so much? He plays hard every single night. Sure, he has his weaknesses, but he plays with so much passion for the game. First ballot HOF.
Haha who the hell wants Westbrook now!!!? TO machine who doesn’t play team ball.
Sure other teams can make better offers but I think what this has about the entire time is Simmons wants to play for the Lakers. I honestly think teams are hesitant to take a gamble on the chance that Ben will do the same thing to them that’s he’s doing to the 76ers. Although I don’t think the Lakers will trade Westbrook unless it’s a mutual parting.
I honestly think the 6ers made him a pariah in his own clubhouse shopped then kept him. I wouldnt bet on him being a problem elsewhere. I think he may be immature or poorly advised on some of this, but they basically said Ben Simmons aint s*** now give us everything for him…
If Simmons can’t take and make jump shots none of this matters
He doesn’t need a jump shot to be an asset offensively.
He needs to be more aggressive near the rim and cut down on missed layups… He also often ends up fading away from the basket with many of his shots taken a couple feet+ away from the basket.. Of course, there’s the foul shooting, as well.. He’s awkward offensively but should be able to overcome some of it with the size and athleticism possesses.
Necessary? Is it necessary…
The world would be so much better if rich Paul never said another word
See, Rich Paul found a loophole they can hold on to – get paid while not playing and still giving the finger to the team and the fanbase.
Team says hes trash. Fans say hes trash. Team doesnt trade him, and you wonder why he would have mental hangups going back. Its like if you got stripped naked in a game in basketball in high school, would you be mentally ready to go back in front of those people the next game after everybody saw your business?
Oh poor baby. Former Sixers legend copped way more abuse over his career and didn’t stop
Former legend maybe… I guarantee you couldnt face that buddy. Cold shoulder in the locker room, getting boo’d and harassed by your home fans. You would wet yourself before enduring that so dont act all high and mighty. Go face 15000 people screaming at you while your teammates do nothing.
If Ben Simmons has Mental Health issues, he needs to get help. Getting help is probably more important than the salary he would lose this year. Getting his young life on track is more important. He is talented enough player that he could take a couple of years off and come back a better person, player.
I mean both things can be true. His mental health issue around shooting is something else he could work on long term. The problem with Phil is all the baggage between him and his teammates, coach, fans, and the local media. That is where most of his mental problems are coming from so trade and new team is a fix for that. I felt like they burned him down, and recognizing that should have just paid him to stay away till the trade deadline.
They could have negotiated a decent deal while teams were open for business but they waited till Dame didnt leave and all the other teams were closed. After that either take what you can get, or pay him to stay home till the deadline and stay in shape for a trade since its better for team chemistry to keep him away. As soon as they announced it the story would have died till deadline speculation, and only would have become a real deal if they still couldnt flip him while knowing team needs better.
Phil? Dame? Who are you talking about?
Do you watch any basketball?
I think Philly played this wrong in that they made the bet that worse case scenario Simmons comes back and plays for Philly this year, people remember he’s actually good, then they flip him by the TDE.
Whether this is a Machiavellian ploy or a legitimate serious issue, the end result from Philly’s POV is the same: the guy’s value is now permanently tarnished to at least some degree, not dissimilar from, say, Kyrie.
The “How Would You Feel If..” argument for pro athletes is nonsensical. The entire myth and legend that holds pro athletes apart (and gets them paid I might add) is that they are fundamentally different.
That’s just part of the deal.
The reason they make a lot is because owners keep jacking up prices, and we would all rather the players make more of the money. If the choice wasnt between super rich owners and players we might compensate them more like avg people.
Man! Are you way off.
Gotta be tough to have so much pressure on you all the time – it’s surprising more pro athletes don’t have known mental health issues. I wonder if he could walk away from the game as Larry Sanders did with the Bucks. I think Larry still got paid.
And the guy who hurt Larry gets to coach the Mavs now
The way PHI is behaving in all of this situation is very reminiscent of a dictatorship, were human rights only exist to be disregarded… I mean have some heart for the guy, unless you can prove he is lying, which PHI must prove beyond any reasonable doubt, they will always be in the wrong!
Get a grip! Of course Ben wants to play ASAP, but for PHI it mustn’t matter if he plays now, next month, in the spring or even next season, their obligation is to pay Ben & shut up!
Maybe if they actually helped him instead of harassing him all the time he might had been ready by now to play, we will never know until PHI stops behaving like tyrannical regime & starts behaving in a proper way!
Its almost impossible to imagine how he could ever be ready to be part of that team, and accepted as a teammate. Coming back now would be so hard, and is he trying to win a title with them or still likely dealt. I mean its far to hard.
#FreeBenSimmons
Well since mental health was the final straw, the one thing that Rich Paul clearly know is hot button, that he is literally challenging them to calm Ben a liar, i would go all in cuz Rich is a carny and ben is a coward. Effin losers are playing the card cuz they know philly cant win either way. Rich Paul is scum.
@El Don…Oh my gawd. You obviously need psychological help. You are choosing to be subjugated.
El Don has the quickest “thumb up” to his posts in the history of hoopsrumors. Posts a comment and in 3 seconds there’s a thumb up. Nice.
He is lying but due to the complications surrounding mental heath no organization is going to call him out without firm details which no organization is entitled to so we’re at this stupid standoff until Ben basically decides he wants to play.
Dynamite, you speak the truth! EXACTLY!
So after all thats happened, and all the drama, there is zero chance that it would be hard to come back to that mentally?
Poor Ben has led his entire life pampered and acted like a child and now he sulks when making $500,000 a week and the team expects results.
I don’t know this but I have a feeling he asked for a trade a year prior to this mess. They did not move him so here we sit. He said enough is enough, I want out now.
Well people could stop treating good athletes like theyre s*** dont stink from when they are 12 onwards. Easy grades for the HS star quarterback…
“Leave Britney alone!”
Philly fans have supported Simmons over the years. We understand what he brings to the table both offensively and defensively as well as his offensive limitations. He knew the team/offense would be built around Embiid – he’s our true superstar – and probably understood he was not a great fit with Embiid but signed his max contract anyway. Nothing has changed since he signed that contract in July 2019 other than Embiid continuing his dominance when healthy. Simmons hasn’t put the time in the offseason and now he’s getting called out for it and can’t handle the heat. He should have never signed the contract if didn’t intend to honor it. The team should have very right not to pay him if he decides not to play.
When will everyone realize that both Morey and Doc made the biggest cardinal sins of all—never ever blame or call out a player PUBLICALLY. Keep it private.
The truth is somewhere in between both sides stance.
In fact, the early playoff exit is solely on the shoulders of Doc Rivers and Morey. Docs a terrible playoff coach. His ability to make changes during a series where they have had the series lead is the worst in playoff history. He’s the only coach in playoff history to loss three 3-1 leads.
2021 2-1 lead over Atlanta
2020 Round 2 vs Nuggets, 3-1 lead
2015 Round 2 vs Rockets, 3-1 lead
2012 East Finals vs Heat, 3-2 lead
2010 NBA Finals vs Lakers, 3-2 lead
2009 Round 2 vs Magic, 3-2 lead
2003 Round 1 vs Pistons, 3-1 lead
That said, fans should be ripping into Doc for his lack of coaching abilities and Morey for not making a trade for a point guard —Lowry.
Correct. This is the bottom line. All the talk of contract commitments and inability to shoot freethrows and whatever else is meaningless. Simmons has to protect himself (and future contract value) from an organization that either publicly scapefoated him or geniunely doesn’t believe he can win a championship.
I disagree. Rivers/Morey and the Sixers organization absolutely have played a part but so has Simmons. He’s received a max contract (whether deserved or not) and has not put the time in to get better as player like many of teammates and peers (ex Maxey’s offseason workouts). Rivers never said that Simmons can’t win a championship. He said he wasn’t sure if Simmons could win a championship as a point guard. Pretty big difference than your blanket comment.
I don’t know how anyone can question the work ethic of a 3 time NBA All-star… I just can’t wrap my mind around it.
Take a look at the stats…has he improved? All-star voting is a total joke. It’s a popularity contest. Simmons is a borderline all-star but has been branded very well.
Look, I’m a fan and wish him the best but think he’s handling this situation wrong. He’s getting bad advise. He’s not Anthony Davis who forced a trade because his contract was up. He’s signed for 3 more years.
When you’re one of the best in the world, maintaining that greatness in and of itself is the challenge. Every one else is trying to get there. Maxey improved over the Summer ? Wow. That’s like base camp to the latrine. Doesn’t compare to where Simmons is.
If anyone believes this is a mental health issue I have ocean front property in Arizona for sale
OK sure, but if anyone else believes the Sixers want Simmons on their team for any other reason but to trade him are equally foolish.
I think Sixer fan has missed two key points in this whole thing…they will suffer too bc they have 30 million invested in him and their actions are also causing the issue to fester.
Simmons will get traded but for pennies and Philly will still look bad and suffer more than Simmons in the end.
#FreeBenSimmons
The only contract issue is whether he’s incapable of playing due to a mental disability. If he is, he’s not in breach of his contract; if he isn’t, he is, and – among other things – may be fined and/or not paid.
Simmons isn’t qualified to certify to his inability to play (nor is his agent), but his doctors presumably are, and, apparently, aren’t willing to do so. I guess, according to the agent, Simmons’ own doctors are calling him a liar as well.
Agree – for weeks it was being described that Simmons needed a mental break. Now, all of a sudden, the agent is calling it a mental health problem. This is just a way to legally document it for when the case eventually goes to arbitration (and Simmons attempts to get back the fines being levied). He should just come back (when he’s mentally ready), honor the contract, take the boos he deserves (for a game or 2) and hopefully play well then see what happens closer to the trade deadline.
The dude has been babied his whole life. It’s time for him to man up for once. All this #FreeBenSimmons stuff is BS and coming from people that won’t hold others accountable. He sucked in the playoffs so take your medicine or better yet get better in the offseason.
Yes, because needing a mental break (many people could use one) isn’t grounds under his contract to not play (and still get paid), it has to be a mental disability that renders him unable to play. That’s a question of fact, but the only opinions that count are those of doctors. Not agents.
You keep conveniently forgetting this dude would play for the same artifically constrained max contract amount for any other team in the NBA. The org just messed it up at his expense. Now they are learning the true cost of that mistake.
Playing for another team for his max contract has nothing to do with it. He signed it with the sixers and should honor the contract. If a trade happens then it will be on the sixers terms not Simmons. He’s under contract for 3 more years. They have every right to maximize his trade value. The team started 8-2 (until Embiid sat out the last few games). They’ll be fine holding out. Will Simmons?
You are dreaming… 3 game losing streak at home… going on 6 game away strech. You’ll be stomping on that panic button before they make it back to Philly.
As for signing that contract, there are stipulations around mental health and the courts will decide who is in breach. Outside of the contract, the players union and owners make agreements assuming parties are acting in good faith… Philly mgmt is not acting in good faith..
Sixers will be fine with or without Simmons. It’s a long season and they had a strong start. Embiid is who they really miss right now. It’s amazing how Maxey puts in the hard work all summer and you can see the improvement. I’m a fan of Simmons but he hasn’t put in the work even at the free throw line over the years.
And please remind me how Philly mgmt is not acting in good faith? Because a player that didn’t perform up to expectations and can’t handle the heat wants a trade and the team hasn’t complied with his request? There is plenty of finger pointing to go around but he didn’t have to sign the contract either. It was just his best and maybe only chance to sign a max deal…he’s not a FA or a mega superstar so can’t control where he plays.
Listen, we can definitely agree everyone can share some blame.
As for good faith, Mr Simmons has a large amount of income at stake. These people have treated him like he is powerless and they own him. He is a 3-time all-star (btw.. Philly was getting those valuable services on a max rookie contract of 8 mil a yr…). There are only 25 players a yr that are allstars.
He is a global player attracting global markets. These people suggested he was not fit to win a championship as a scapegoat. You interpret it in the most rose colored glasses you want. Philly fans are making him look bad. He asked to get out. The mgmt had an obligation to bail at that point. But they got greedy and when it blew up, they put the burden on Simmons. That’s not good faith.
Come on – bringing up all-star appearances? It’s a popularity contest and a total joke and has been that way for decades.
How are Philly fans making Simmons look bad? The fans have been very supportive of Simmons over the years. Your facts are just wrong. Nobody said Simmons was not fit to win a championship. The question asked to Rivers was can you win a championship with Simmons as the point guard. Rivers gave an honest answer when he said I don’t know. It was a fair answer as Simmons may be better suited as a 4.
Please explain to me why mgmt has an obligation to bail or trade Simmons? So any player that has a signed contract and is unhappy with their situation can request a trade and mgmt has to fulfill that obligation even if they trade an asset for pennies on the dollar.
I agree it’s a bad situation but made even worse by Simmons. I hope there’s a solution soon but wouldn’t count on it.
Yes, Exactly. All star games are popularity contests. He is the star of the show. This is what you keep ignoring. Mr Simmons has the leverage, contract be damned. Morey wants it to be one way, but it is the other. If you start with this presumption, then you realize where Doc and mgmt went wrong.
You call it pampering. I call it protecting their access to Mr Simmon’s assets. When hometown fans question the value of those assets, and the coach uses that to get the heat off his back, and the star is forced to protect his assets, then yeah .. he has that right like all Americans have. And . Ok. He is in breach of some contract…. but he should get some penalty and go on building his brand elswhere. He gets to make that call. Whether Morey likes it or not. But Morey believes he has more power than has and didn’t make the trade despite what Mr Simmons requested. Now we are where we are. And although there is blame to go around, and maybe you do not like that those 25 stars can dictate how the show is run, that’s what it is. And given how things played out… as an on looker, I side with Mr Simmons.
You’re welcome to your opinion and obviously not an attorney. I’m sure we were born in different decades and won’t have similar views on most matters. To each their own. I guess will see how it all plays out. My money is on the billionaires.
You are right. Fortunately there are other billionaires that want to do business with Mr Simmons.
So between Doc, Morey, and Simmons. Simmons is going to get his way.. but they are doing an injustice to Mr Simmons in the process. That is why they are scum.
There you go Jer.Bear. Stick it to the “Man”!
Maybe one day, you’ll be the “Man”
So mental illness is a very big claim. The question is if he got the trade, would he be miraculously OK?
If the team has resumed fining him, the implication is clear they think it might not be mental illness as much as a desire to not play for Doc and the 76ers.
Yes I believe he would be better if they finally let him go. Sure, call it a miracle if you like.
Simmons hiding behind the banner of mental health is an insult to those who really suffer. That being said let’s do Ben for Russ
YAWN ……………. Wake me when it’s over
NBA needs to step in here and force Moreys hand. This is an embarrassment on both parties, and makes the NBA look bad.
Morey is dreaming if he thinks Ben’s value will go up. It’s declining and will be at minimum just before the trade deadline. There’s a few options, but they’re all around the same level. Offers built around Westbrook, Wall, Love/Rubio/Sexton, Beasley/Beverley & picks, Dragic & something, Hield & Bagley, couple of Spurs guys, Pelicans maybe.. that’s about it. Just get it done, for everyone’s sake, including the fans. Everyone’s losing money and the public are being tortured by poor journalism. Please hurry. Choose a bad deal and shut your eyes while Ben’s all NBA in 2 years.
Ben Simmons to >>>> Nets
Kyrie Irving to >>>> Sixers
Head Cases solved, Play Ball ………
This would be best trade in history of NBA.