Ben Simmons upset that Joel Embiid, Sixers blamed him for loss

[ad_1]

The saga between the Philadelphia 76ers and star guard Ben Simmons continued into February Now, as Simmons still hasn’t played a game for the 31-19 Sixers. The team has basically evolved as Tyrese Maxey has continued to grow and now they are looking to improve their team.

As Simmons’ situation continues to evolve, the Sixers remain hopeful that he can return to the team and join them on the field. The 25-year-old three-time All-Star is still not mentally ready to join the team after a tumultuous summer and a trade request in late August.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that a big thing on Simmons’ mind is still the idea that Joel Embiid and Doc Rivers blamed him for the playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7. C That’s why he ignored the team during the offseason, but he also felt slighted when they weren’t trying harder.

Shelburne reports:

According to sources close to Simmons, he’s upset that Embiid seemed to blame him for last season’s playoff loss, while Simmons didn’t blame Embiid for Embiid’s poor playoff performance against the United States. Toronto Raptors in 2019. He is frustrated that Rivers didn’t come to see him while training in Los Angeles last summer.

Simmons doesn’t dispute that he didn’t respond when Rivers texted and called him several times over the summer asking to see him. But looking back, Simmons thinks Rivers and the Sixers could have done more, like showing up at a well-known gym in the San Fernando Valley where he was training.

On top of that, Simmons is also upset that the organization continues to fine him as he reports back to the team. However, he hasn’t played in any matches and it’s an ongoing issue. He’s been with the crew on shoots and shoots etc, but it’s more in his body than his mind.

By Shelburne:

According to sources close to him, he is also skeptical that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will trade him due to his previous pursuit of Harden – who can become a free agent this summer. Simmons would be the best player the Sixers would send in any theoretical trade. And he is upset that the organization is fining him so heavily after raising mental health as an issue on his return.

Rich Paul, Simmons’ agent, had spent weeks in the fall trying to convince the three-time All Star to return to Philadelphia as a show of good faith.

Simmons didn’t want to go there in any way.

It looks like the Simmons saga isn’t ending anytime soon. Philadelphia will wait to see if they can convince James Harden to pair him with Embiid and try again in the 2022-23 season, but as things stand it’s hard to predict Simmons will take the field for Philadelphia in the current season. Unless, of course, he changes his mind, which is always a possibility, no matter how small.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[ad_2]