As the situation in Philadelphia continues to unfold, it’s becoming more and more evident that Ben Simmons will never play another game for the franchise.
But with the situation being so volatile, and no signs that things will ever improve, one has to wonder how it all started, and what it was, initially, that sparked Ben’s desire for change.
In a piece by Keith Pompey, some details on the relationship between Simmons and the 76ers are explored, where it is revealed that the young star was just feeling burnt out.
“The Sixers asked why Simmons wanted out, and Paul informed them that the point guard was mentally exhausted. The source believes they didn’t pay attention to Simmons’ state of mind or feelings about being in Philly because of the four years remaining on his contract,” Pompey wrote.
Ben Simmons vs. the #Sixers: An inside look at a messy #NBA divorce https://t.co/pF1YNcWHBK via @phillyinquirer #PhilaUnite
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 2, 2021
Naturally, Ben’s reputation has taken an enormous hit throughout this saga, and many have labeled him a spoiled, self-centered star.
When it comes to his game, folks are no longer buying the “workout videos” coming from his camp.
At this point, only real minutes on the court are going to turn around the public’s perception. Still, that’s not to say there aren’t some believers.
“You don’t become third-team [All-NBA] in 2020, and then in 2021 and 2022, you become worse,” Metta Sandiford-Artest told TMZ. “This kid is gonna be an MVP candidate. The thing about it is, just because he’s a superstar doesn’t mean he needs to be a shooter. Gary Payton was starting to shoot the ball late in his career. You look at guys like Jason Kidd, [he was] just like Ben Simmons. Later in his career, Jason Kidd became an all-time great 3-point shooter. … Remember when Jason Kidd couldn’t shoot?
“Never will we let our close alumni of elite defenders be disrespected; there’s only a few of us, and Ben Simmons is one of us,” Artest added. “And we will not let him go down and be disrespected. He will be an MVP candidate, and he will be second-team All-NBA; he will be a champion, hopefully in Philly with my good brother Elton Brand.”
The new season is approaching soon, and Ben has yet to make himself available for the Sixers. He could lose out on millions if this holdout continues into the season.
It remains to be seen how this whole situation will end. But if Ben was feeling “mentally exhausted” before this whole saga began, one can only imagine how he must be feeling now.
