Ben Simmons really stirred the pot today after he was thrown out of the Philadelphia 76ers practice and suspended. The point guard has been trying to force his way out of Philly and even after he returned to the team, the relationship hasn’t improved.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Rivers called him a distraction and told him to go home after refusing to participate in defensive drills. This attitude was too much for the coach, who ultimately ejected the player.
Doc Rivers asked Ben Simmons to join a defensive drill today. Simmons refused. Rivers asked again. Simmons said no again.
Rivers then told Simmons he should go home, and Simmons dropped the ball and left.
Sources: Doc Rivers asked Ben Simmons to join a defensive drill today. Simmons refused. Rivers asked again. Simmons said no again.
Rivers then told Simmons he should go home, and Simmons dropped the ball and left.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2021
After Rivers addressed the media and said Simmons was a distraction today, Joel Embiid had the chance to talk with reporters. He obviously discussed the Simmons situation and took some big shots at his teammate, saying he doesn’t care about this back and forth since Simmons does whatever he wants.
"At this point I don't care about that man, honestly. He does whatever he wants."
–Joel Embiid on Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/XELROkUphX
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 19, 2021
“At this point I don’t care about that man, honestly. He does whatever he wants. That’s not my job. I’m only focused on trying to make the team better, win some games, try to lead the other guys that we have here. The chemistry has been excellent despite everything that’s been happening the last few months. So yeah, like I said, I don’t really care.”
Embiid: “I’d be willing to babysit if someone wants to listen, but that’s not my my job”
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 19, 2021
The 2021 MVP finalist also said he could babysit ‘if someone wants to listen,’ before clarifying that’s not his job. This situation doesn’t get any better and Simmons seems to be on his way out of Philly more than ever.
It’s unclear what team will pull the trigger on this move; it’s unclear if the Sixers will settle with a less attractive package for their star, but everything points out we’re living Ben Simmons’ last hours in Philadelphia.
