2021 NBA Media Day arrived, and Ben Simmons didn’t take part in it. The Philadelphia 76ers star is set to leave the franchise after five years following a couple of tumultuous months.
Ever since the Atlanta Hawks eliminated the Sixers of the second round of the playoff, plenty of fans criticized Simmons for his performances during that series, where he vanished when the team most needed him, wasting big opportunities to get the W.
After all the comments he received from fans, analysts, teammates, and even the head coach, Simmons doesn’t want to return to Philadelphia. He made it clear he won’t attend training camp and refused to meet teammates in Los Angeles, as he intends to leave the organization as soon as possible.
Somehow, the Sixers still hope that he will eventually return to the team, and Joel Embiid claimed that Simmons can bring a lot to the table if he does what he’s done in his workout videos this offseason. During the Sixers media day, the big man explained that Simmons can still be important for the team.
“We’ve all seen the videos. So that would help.”
Joel Embiid was asked what the team needs from Simmons if he returns: "We've all seen the videos. So that would help." Embiid said Simmons has the potential to be that good. #Sixers
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) September 27, 2021
As every year, Simmons has been spotted making jump shots, doing stuff he doesn’t normally do on the court. Most fans think this is an old trick, but Embiid still hopes that his teammate can show all his talents when it actually matters.
Moreover, the Cameroonian said that he’s disappointed that the squad can do much more than they showed last season, and he’s trying to change that this upcoming campaign.
“I’m disappointed … Look at what we have been able to do. I have to be better. Everybody has to be better. But we have been so dominant that we know what’s working. …I’m disappointed in the fact that we seen the results … We are all winners. … I think it’s time to take the next step. … I do love playing with him, because it adds so much to our team.”
"I'm disappointed in the fact that we seen the results … We are all winners. … I think it's time to take the next step. … I do love playing with him, because it adds so much to our team."
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) September 27, 2021
The Sixers finished last season as the best team in the East, ready to win it all in a competitive conference. However, the surprising Hawks upset them, made Simmons look bad, stealing a big win over the favorites to win the East.
After that, plenty of people threw Simmons under the bus, as Matisse Thybulle recently said, putting all the blame on Ben, leading to this situation where the point guard has no desire whatsoever to return to the Sixers.
