April 2022 Philadelphia Sixers Wiretap

Ben Simmons: I Didn't Handle Things The Right Way, Sixers Didn't Either

Sep 22, 2022 3:21 PM

Ben Simmons spoke candidly about his experience with the Philadelphia 76ers during a podcast appearance with JJ Redick.

"I was in such a bad place where I was like, f---, I'm trying to get here and you guys are, like, throwing all these other things at me to where you're not helping. And that's all I wanted, was help," Simmons said.

"I didn't feel like I got it from coaches, teammates -- I won't say all teammates, because there's great guys on that team that did reach out and are still my friends -- but I didn't feel like I got that, and it was just a tough place for me."

Simmons was kicked out of practice by Doc Rivers for being a "distraction" after Simmons declined several times to sub in for a drill. He ultimately was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

"I actually spoke to Doc before practice. I was like, 'Doc, I'm not ready. Mentally, I'm not ready. Please just understand that,'" Simmons said on the podcast. "I tried to let him know prior, and he was like, 'Well, I'm going to put you in anyway.' I'm like, 'All right.' He told me to get in. I looked at him. It was like one minute into practice, like, 'Ben, get in.'

"I'm like, first of all, no one's doing that. You're doing this on purpose. And that's how I felt, too. It seems like everyone's trying to f--- with me now. I'm getting fined for not lifting weights, but physically I'm one of the strongest guys on the f---ing team. So now they're fining me for little things. It was just a buildup. Obviously, I didn't handle things the right way, but, also, the team didn't either, and the people who had that power."

ESPN

Tags: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia Sixers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
NBA Initiated Tampering Investigation On 76ers, Knicks With Findings Expected Within Weeks

Sep 14, 2022 10:01 PM

The NBA initiated its investigations on potential tampering conducted this offseason by the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks as it was not based on a complaint from a team.

"The statuses of those investigations are ongoing. Hopefully they’ll be wrapped up in the next few weeks," said Adam Silver.

"I think what prompted them was sort of just the tick-tock chronology around sort of when signings are permissible and the announcements of those signings and the information that came out about them, which was cause for the league office to investigate."

Last year, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls were each forced to forfeit a second round pick due to tampering charges. 

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: New York Knicks, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA

Discuss
Montrezl Harrell, 76ers Agree To Two-Year Deal

Sep 6, 2022 4:00 PM

Montrezl Harrell has agreed to a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Harrell will have a player option in Year 2.

Harrell will reunite with Doc Rivers, who he played for with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Harrell was one of the NBA's last remaining free agents who was certain of finding a roster spot. Harrell finished last season with the Charlotte Hornets.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Montrezl Harrell, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss