In a shocking turn of events last week, Ben Simmons ended his holdout from the Philadelphia 76ers. The former number one pick reported to the team facility during their preseason matchup against Brooklyn Nets, and since then, went through all the necessary requirements to re-join the team in practice under the watch of Doc Rivers.
While Simmons has opted to be with the team now, there have been no signs of a change of heart. His focus remains on being moved to a new team.
Since joining the team in practice, Ben Simmons has not exactly conducted himself professionally. He continues to alienate himself from his teammates and has given little effort and participation.
Things hit a boiling point Tuesday when Doc Rivers kicked Ben Simmons out of practice due to a lack of engagement. He later discussed what led to this decision during his media availability.
“I just thought he was a distraction today. Didn't think he wanted to do what everybody else was doing. It was early. It wasn't a big deal. I just told him he should leave then, and we went on with practice,” said Rivers.
Getting Ben Simmons integrated with the team has been far from a seamless transition. Despite the total lack of effort he has shown thus far, Rivers will continue to give Simmons chances to make things work until his wishes are met.
“Every day, every single moment, I am going to give Ben [Simmons] a chance to join the team and be part of the team. He is under contract to be part of the team, and so that is not going to change,” Rivers said Tuesday.
With the regular season so close, the Sixers cannot afford any outside distractions. Rivers was not going to let Simmons' antics derail the team before their opening contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
“At the end of the day, as a coach, I have to protect the team,” he said.
In a corresponding move, the Sixers suspended Ben Simmons for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team. Between this suspension and what he's done in practice, there is room to speculate if Simmons ever suits up for the Sixers this season.
This situation has been a slippery slope, to say the least, but the Sixers have handled it about as well as a team possibly can. They have given Ben Simmons multiple chances to leave the outside business at the door and focus on basketball, but he has not returned the favor. Despite removing him on Tuesday, Rivers said Simmons will be welcomed at the team's next practice.
Rivers has done everything he could for Ben Simmons to handle things properly, but he clearly has his mind made up. Kicking him out of practice had to be a tough decision but needed to be made for the betterment of the team. With their regular season opener just a day away, they cannot afford to let anything get in their way of starting the year off on a good note.
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