After initially resisting, Ben Simmons has now met with a team-recommended specialist to discuss mental health concerns, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter links). The Sixers had recently reinstituted fines for Simmons’ reluctance to meet with team doctors, among other issues. Simmons plans to continue working out at the practice facility and meeting with his NBPA-provided mental health specialist. He has yet to make his debut and there’s no timetable for his return.
We have more on the Sixers:
- Joel Embiid is experiencing symptoms in his bout with COVID-19, Kyle Neubeck of The Philly Voice tweets. “He’s not doing great, he’s struggling with it, very similar to Tobias (Harris),” coach Doc Rivers said. Reports surfaced on Monday morning that the star center had been placed under the league’s health and safety protocols.
- Embiid has been pleasantly surprised by reserve big man Georges Niang, Lauren Rosen tweets. The former Utah forward, signed as a free agent this summer, is averaging a career-best 11.9 PPG in 22.7 MPG. “I used to think he sucked, honestly,” Embiid said. “Obviously, on this team he’s doing way more than (shooting 3s). What I’m impressed with is he’s a competitor. He brings so much joy to all of us, on and off the court. I’m just glad I have him.”
- The franchise has gained more leverage in the Simmons situation, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines. The team’s hot start shows Simmons that they can win without him, which could force the disgruntled guard’s hand. Tyrese Maxey and Niang have more than filled Simmons’ void and he’s now faced with the prospect of sitting out for months.
I wonder how quickly Simmons mental health issues go away with a trade? He so full of crap.. he all of a sudden had these issues when they were dining him. Disgrace
He’ll claim amnesia.
Niang has been a pleasant surprise
I didn’t think he sucked, I just didn’t know who he was .. he has been very helpful to the Sixers solid start
Lastly, please trade Ben Simmons, he is a balloon head of the highest order and a complete jerk. Just trade him!!! Addition through Subtraction
The fact he started meeting with team doctors when he started losing money should be proof that hes full of crap. Mental Illness is a serious problem and that worthless piece of human garbage is trying to use it to his advantage because he isnt getting his way. This is a bad look for the NBA, one of its highest paid and most recognizable players is faking a serious problem because hes nothing more than a spoiled brat.
If all that is true, then Simmons has a mental health issue because of it.
He has always been gloomy Why?
I really doubt Simmons is suffering from any mental health issues. He’s just selfish
76ers expected Celtics to overpay on Simmons
But Celtics are always …..
76ers want Brown and Schroeder for Simmons?
Salary works
How many first round picks is Philly giving to Boston here?
If I’m the sixers I send Simmons to the pelicans 4 Ingram. Throw in a future 1st if needed.
That would be a great trade for the Sixers, but why would the Pels do it?
Can the Sixers be THIS stupid or do they just not want to be upfront publicly on this so as to still try to get some value for him? They should announce that Simmons is doing a Harden/AD ploy to get traded and that they will continue to fine him. Of course Simmons and his agent are playing THEIR hand by claiming a mental health issue, which they probably think will get them support from their union and the woke media, all with the aim of Simmons getting his money. Sixers should be willing to let the bum sit out the whole season.
If Morey wouldn’t trade Simmons for Brown (Celtics) strait up he should be relieved of his PBO duties immediately
Celtics wouldn’t trade Brown for him. They said no way they would do that. Rightly so Ben Simmons sucks for many reasons.
#FreeBenSimmons
That is fantastic, now PHI has only the super stud Drummond, but even him can’t make this dreadful team win, the slide starts & hopefully a big & long one to get them to show what a suck team they are, can’t wait to see the misery inflected in PHI, what goes around comes around, right? Real cool!
“I used to think he sucked, honestly,” :D
I kind of still do, the man simply can’t jump. Always missed the shots that mattered in Utah. He seems to be contributing for the Sixers though.
Somebody else can do the jumping then. Or nobody. Box out
The longer Simmons doesn’t play, the more evident it is that he’s not needed. Just get whatever you can and move forward.