Ben Simmons is still not playing with the Philadelphia 76ers after a chaotic 2021 playoffs and offseason that saw their relationship fall through the cracks. While Ben has returned to the team, all the signs point that they are heading to a breakup.
Several fans and experts have blamed Simmons for the situation. After all, the main issues are his poor shooting and lack of aggressiveness, which was exploited during the past postseason. Others also criticized him for what seemed to be a blatant abuse of player empowerment, demanding to be traded even though the Sixers are paying him hundreds of millions of dollars to play.
For Isiah Thomas, however, the Sixers have a part in the situation. While Simmons has his shortcomings, the NBA legend thinks Philly has not been supportive at all as they pinned all the blame on the Australian and basically threw him under the bus.
Isiah Thomas on Ben Simmons:
“They dogged him… when Shaq was going like 4-18 at the foul line, I didn’t hear Phil Jackson dogging Shaq… they wasn’t publicly dissing him.”
(via @NBAonTNT // The Big Podcast) pic.twitter.com/Le4xTgoCWg
— ProCity Hoops (@ProCityHoops) November 12, 2021
To recall, after their second-round playoffs exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, head coach Doc Rivers seemed to suggest that he has doubts if Ben Simmons can be the point guard of a championship team. He later tried to clarify his comment, but the damage has been done.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid directly blamed Simmons' passed-up dunk in Game 7 of the series against the Hawks as the “turning point” that led to the Sixers' defeat.
Ben Simmons passing up dunks now??pic.twitter.com/qovIypu2wZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 21, 2021
There have been a few people who have also pointed out the same things as Isiah Thomas did. Simply put, it's hard to expect someone to feel welcomed in a team where his supposed to be partner and head coach publicly dissed him.
It remains to be seen how the Simmons saga will pan out in Philly. The 25-year-old is still dealing with mental health issues that are preventing him to play, though as mentioned earlier, it's unknown if he has any desire left to wear a Sixers jersey.
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