PHILADELPHIA — Ben Simmons’ refusal to accept the 76ers’ assistance to address his mental readiness to play is frustrating the organization.
Simmons has been receiving treatment from team doctors for a back ailment. But he has been unwilling to meet with Sixers doctors to discuss his mental readiness, according to ESPN. The disgruntled point guard has been working instead with mental health professionals through the National Basketball Players Associations since this summer. He has not shared details of those meetings with the Sixers, according to the report.
Simmons has yet to rejoin the team in full team activities at the Sixers practice facilities. In addition to receiving treatment, he’s participated in individual shooting drills.
The point guard had been fined close to $2 million for missing five games (four exhibitions), practices and meetings. Coach Doc Rivers even kicked Simmons out of practice on Oct. 19 for not engaging and refusing to participate in an on-court drill. Then on Oct. 22, Simmons complained of back tightness ahead of a scheduled individual workout at the practice facility. Even after being treated and cleared to work out, he left the practice facility without participating in drills.
The next day, Simmons informed the Sixers he was not mentally ready to play. As a result, they had to stop fining him due to a provision in the NBA collective bargaining agreement that protects players’ salaries for not rendering services if it is because of mental disability.
Simmons told the Sixers in August that he wanted to be traded and refused to attend training camp. Even though he’s back with the team, sources close to the player have said he’s stated he will never play for the Sixers again.
NBA tipoff: Live news and scores as the NBA begins its 75th season
Elise Amendola
The Nets' All-Star guard went on Instagram Live last week to say he still hopes to play for Brooklyn this season but has decided not to take the COVID-19 vaccination shot. He said he's not pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine, explaining that "this is about my life and what I am choosing to do."
New York's COVID-19 vaccination protocols require that only vaccinated people are allowed at various public indoor activities. A player in the New York market has to have at least one vaccination shot to practice or play in the city.
Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said the team wasn't going to allow Irving to join the team until he gets at least one vaccine shot.
According to reports, the NBA and players' association agreed to a reduction in pay of 1/91.6% of salary for each game an unvaccinated player misses because of local COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Irving would lose $380,000 per game if he's not able to play.
Irving said on Instagram that "I'm not retiring."
Elise Amendola
The Nets' All-Star guard went on Instagram Live last week to say he still hopes to play for Brooklyn this season but has decided not to take the COVID-19 vaccination shot. He said he's not pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine, explaining that "this is about my life and what I am choosing to do."
New York's COVID-19 vaccination protocols require that only vaccinated people are allowed at various public indoor activities. A player in the New York market has to have at least one vaccination shot to practice or play in the city.
Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said the team wasn't going to allow Irving to join the team until he gets at least one vaccine shot.
According to reports, the NBA and players' association agreed to a reduction in pay of 1/91.6% of salary for each game an unvaccinated player misses because of local COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Irving would lose $380,000 per game if he's not able to play.
NBA tipoff: Live news and scores as the NBA begins its 75th season
Matt Rourke
After saying he didn't want to play for the 76ers and wasn't going to show up to training camp, he finally showed up to camp.
It makes one wonder if money had anything to do with his decision. The 76ers had put $8.25 million due Simmons in escrow. His fines for missing games and practices could be taken from that amount.
Simmons, who has four years left on his contract worth about $147 million, is with the team working on his conditioning. The 76ers have said they'd like to keep the 25-year-old All-Star forward.
The teams that had reached out to the 76ers said Philadelphia was asking for too much to trade Simmons, and the teams don't believe Philadelphia has that leverage any more to get a big haul.
Stay tuned.
Matt Rourke
After saying he didn't want to play for the 76ers and wasn't going to show up to training camp, he finally showed up to camp.
It makes one wonder if money had anything to do with his decision. The 76ers had put $8.25 million due Simmons in escrow. His fines for missing games and practices could be taken from that amount.
Simmons, who has four years left on his contract worth about $147 million, is with the team working on his conditioning. The 76ers have said they'd like to keep the 25-year-old All-Star forward.
The teams that had reached out to the 76ers said Philadelphia was asking for too much to trade Simmons, and the teams don't believe Philadelphia has that leverage any more to get a big haul.
NBA tipoff: Live news and scores as the NBA begins its 75th season
According to 80% of NBA executives polled during an NBA.com survey, the Lakers will reach the NBA Finals before losing to the just-as-talented Brooklyn Nets.
For the Lakers, it'll be about making it fit on a deep roster, keeping egos in check and playing better defense than most pundits think they can.
They have 11 new players on their 14-man roster, with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Talen Horton-Tucker returning.
They've added the dynamic Russell Westbrook, with many believing that the triple-double machine will have to make the most changes to his game to make their Big 3 work.
They've brought back Dwight Howard for a third tour of duty and added Carmelo Anthony, two players with strong personalities.
They have nine players over 30 and six at least 35 or older, so age will be a topic of concern all season.
According to 80% of NBA executives polled during an NBA.com survey, the Lakers will reach the NBA Finals before losing to the just-as-talented Brooklyn Nets.
For the Lakers, it'll be about making it fit on a deep roster, keeping egos in check and playing better defense than most pundits think they can.
They have 11 new players on their 14-man roster, with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Talen Horton-Tucker returning.
They've added the dynamic Russell Westbrook, with many believing that the triple-double machine will have to make the most changes to his game to make their Big 3 work.
They've brought back Dwight Howard for a third tour of duty and added Carmelo Anthony, two players with strong personalities.
They have nine players over 30 and six at least 35 or older, so age will be a topic of concern all season.
NBA tipoff: Live news and scores as the NBA begins its 75th season
Paul Sancya
Don't the Milwaukee Bucks have one of the league's top-five players in Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the top two-way players in Jrue Holiday, an All-Star in Khris Middleton and some really good complementary pieces?
Maybe it's because many feel the Bucks were lucky to win the title and it was their time last season when many top contenders were missing star players to injury.
Regardless, the Bucks still have a very good team.
Paul Sancya
Don't the Milwaukee Bucks have one of the league's top-five players in Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the top two-way players in Jrue Holiday, an All-Star in Khris Middleton and some really good complementary pieces?
Maybe it's because many feel the Bucks were lucky to win the title and it was their time last season when many top contenders were missing star players to injury.
Regardless, the Bucks still have a very good team.
NBA tipoff: Live news and scores as the NBA begins its 75th season
Adam Hunger
Irving can't practice or play in a game in Brooklyn because he's hasn't met New York's COVID-19 mandate that requires a player to have at least one vaccination shot to participate in indoor practices or game.
Still, many NBA executives in the NBA.com survey believe the Nets will win the title because they still have the nearly unstoppable Kevin Durant and the lethal James Harden.
It's just that it will be tough task to undertake if the uber-talented Irving remains a distraction for the Nets all season.
Adam Hunger
Irving can't practice or play in a game in Brooklyn because he's hasn't met New York's COVID-19 mandate that requires a player to have at least one vaccination shot to participate in indoor practices or game.
Still, many NBA executives in the NBA.com survey believe the Nets will win the title because they still have the nearly unstoppable Kevin Durant and the lethal James Harden.
It's just that it will be tough task to undertake if the uber-talented Irving remains a distraction for the Nets all season.
Ben Simmons, center, looks on during practice Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 at the Philadelphia 76ers' practice facility. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)
Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS
Ben Simmons, center, looks on during practice Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 at the Philadelphia 76ers' practice facility. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)
