Ben Simmons Returning to The 76ers.
What’s up everyone, we are closing in on the NBA regular season, it’s less than a week away and I am stoked. My fantasy football teams are falling apart, the Lions are winless, my college football team (Huskers) are falling out of bowl contention, although they have been putting up a good fight against some really good teams, but I am ready for basketball.
So, let’s jump into some Ben Simmons drama - after holding out all off season, Ben Simmons is apparently heading back to the 76ers.
On October 11th, Woj posted this string of tweets:
Sixers officials and Klutch CEO Rich Paul have progressed in talks over recent days on a resolution to bring All-Star Ben Simmons back to Philadelphia in the near future, sources tell ESPN. Discussions are ongoing.
The plan remains for the Sixers to continue canvassing the league for trades, but the possibility of Simmons reporting to the team has increased in recent days, sources tell ESPN.
The organization’s hopes are unchanged: Get Simmons back into Philadelphia, onto the court and ultimately convince him that it’s still the place for the long-term.
Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons has arrived in Philadelphia and took a Covid-19 test — as required by NBA protocol, sources tell ESPN
Sources: Sixers were unaware Simmons was flying into Philadelphia today. The organization was in constant contact with agent Rich Paul, but Simmons simply showed up at the arena to take his Covid test prior to Sixers-Nets tip — and that’s when team officials knew he was in town.
First of all, I don’t think Ben Simmons should have started this whole holding out process. I get he was/is upset with his teammates and coach, and he should be. They threw him under the bus in the playoffs last year, he did make a dumb decision passing the ball when he had a clear dunk, but your teammates and coach should have your back and not blast you to the media. So demand a trade, but don’t do this hold out business. He did though, he did hold out, and once he made that decision I thought OK well, if you’re going to go that route you have to stick to your guns. They threw all the monetary penalties at him, all the money he would end up forfeiting by not reporting to the team, and he acted all tough and as if he was just fine with it. He was prepared for the financial aspects, and just wanted out. I was thinking, well damn, good for you Ben Simmons, at least you are holding strong in this game of contractual chicken.
During the media days, the team had held their stance of wanting him there to play, and Ben was holding firm that things were done. Embiid’s game and his game didn’t mesh well enough for them both to have success etc. He was selling his home in Philly, making all the moves that someone who was ready to move on would.
Then, out of the blue, he shows up in Philly for a Covid test, getting ready to report to the team. What a bitch move. AND THEY DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HE WAS FLYING IN!!! I mean, I am sure they had an inclination things were moving in that direction, but dude just shows up at their door one day like “y’all said we were cool right?” I was sort of growing to respect Ben Simmons a little more for having the balls to hold out, again, I don’t think it was the right move but if you are going to do it, DO IT. Now he just looks like a fool, and this is exactly why it isn’t the right move. You are going to walk into an awkward situation in the locker room, they will move past it, they’re professionals, but there is no doubt it will be awkward, and I think he lost all leverage in the situation and future situations. Sure, he can play poorly or not to his peak, he will probably still be traded eventually but it just makes him look like a push over. His play on the court will ultimately make or break him, but all of this offseason drama with the hold out did more bad than good for Ben Simmons.
I am still eager to see where he ends up, I still think he is a very good basketball player, but the fact he didn’t have the cojones to keep holding out leaves me feeling a little disappointed.
What are your thoughts on the Ben Simmons drama? Did he do the right thing coming back to “his team”? Where do you think he will end up being traded to, if at all?
Let me know what you think. As always, thanks for reading, have a great rest of your week, this is All Net.