Ben Simmons thrown out of practice, suspended by Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons has been suspended for one game, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews. The report further states that “detrimental conduct” to the team triggered the suspension.
Simmons will miss the Philadelphia 76ers game against the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night, which marks the 2021-22 season opener.
Futher reporting by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed the cause behind Simmons’ suspension, starting with a run-in with Doc Rivers. The veteran NBA coach threw Ben Simmons out of practice after multiple refusals to enter team drills. The repeated defiance led the organization to suspend the young star.
Wojnarowski expanded on the latest issues between Simmons, Rivers and the 76ers.
“Simmons’ reluctance to physically and mentally engage with the Sixers since his return has been a consistent theme, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski posted on Twitter.
Simmons recently returned to Philadelphia after cutting off communication this summer. The team was unable to find a trade partner to take the 25-year old point guard, forcing the frustration to a boiling point this preseason.
Comments from Doc Rivers
Following the action-backed Tuesday practice, 76ers coach Doc Rivers addressed the decision to throw Ben Simmons out of practice.
“I thought he was a distraction today,” said Rivers, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I didn’t think he wanted to do what everyone else was doing.”
He continued: “I’m going to give Ben every chance to be part of the team… as a coach I have to protect the team first. My job as a coach is to keep trying to get guys to buy in… that’s my job. I’m not going to stop my job.”
Rivers also indicated that if the 76ers hold practice Thursday, before the home opener against the Brooklyn Nets, he expects Simmons to rejoin the team.
Ben Simmons dispute
Simmons has four years and $147 million left on his contract, including a $33 million salary for the 2021-22 season. He first requested a trade away from Philadelphia after the 76ers’ Game 7 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks, a game in which the star guard was criticized by Philadelphia fans and media alike. In crunch time of that Game 7, Simmons received a pass right next to the basket, and proceeded to pass out of what looked like a wide-open dunk with less than four minutes remaining.
Simmons did not meet with team officials directly from August to October. Over the summer, he met with 76ers brass in Los Angeles and reiterated his desire for a trade. Over that time, Philadelphia also held back Simmons’ bonuses and salary, in accordance with the NBA’s CBA agreement.