Sixers star Tobias Harris defended Ben Simmons‘ recent decision to remain inactive, explaining that it’s important to support Simmons as he privately addresses his situation, Tim Bontemps of ESPN writes.
Simmons addressed the team in a meeting this week that Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer referred to as a “step in the right direction.” The 25-year-old hasn’t appeared in either of the club’s two games due to his ongoing trade request, and his status for future games is unclear.
“I think it’s obviously a good start,” Harris said as part of a larger quote, according to Bontemps. “But as I said, at this time we have to respect his privacy, his space, and we’ve got to be there for him, with what he’s going through and this process.
“It’s easy to look at something on the surface and come to assumptions on a lot of things, especially athletes. In general in this space we’re depicted as superhumans, and you’re not really supposed to have feelings or go through anything. So I think we just have to really understand he’s a human first, and if he’s going through something at times, we have to respect that and go through that as a team, organization, fans, all the way down the line.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division today:
- The Nets reverted back to small-ball in the team’s victory over the Sixers on Friday, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Brooklyn found success with a lineup that featured Kevin Durant at power forward and LaMarcus Aldridge at center, helping secure a 114-109 road victory. Durant finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, while Aldridge recorded 23 points in less than 23 minutes.
- Knicks star Julius Randle is considering fighting the $15K fine he received for tossing the ball into the crowd after a win this week, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. “We’ll see what happens,’’ Randle said. “I didn’t know it was a thing, but it’s fine. That’s really all it was – more celebrating. I didn’t toss it anywhere or in any direction or trying to do anything. It was emotions. Excitement from the first game. And I was happy it was over with. It was two overtimes. Everybody was exhausted.’’
- The Knicks‘ decision to add more three-point shooting has benefited the team thus far, Ian Begley of SNYtv writes. New York made a franchise-record 24 threes in its victory over Orlando on Friday, receiving strong contributions from newcomers Kemba Walker (3-for-5) and Evan Fournier (4-for-9).
Everything is setting up to hear a Philly fan complain “We lost to the Hawks… AGAIN!”
How can their be privacy when Ben Simmons wants the attention?
Yeah a guy that hasn’t said anything publicly “wants the attention.”
He wants a new organization that won’t throw him under the bus after a playoff series. Doc rivers chokes every year with a top team and nobody says anything about his failures.
Nobody says anything about Doc Rivers’ failures, are you kidding?
That’s all anyone ever talks about, how he’s the only coach to choke 3 times in the playoffs when his team had a 3-1 lead. The only thing nobody talks about is his success when he lead the Celtics to their 17th championship in 2008. But the coach always get the blame.
Well he said he was not mentally ready.
What did he do all summer?
SMH
I hereby nominate this for comment of the month
Simmons had 4 months for privacy
I think using the “mentality isnt ready” is what his agent would’ve told him to say.
Now he still doesn’t have to play but collect his money. The only reason he’s back is cause he wants his money but he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to play for the Sixers again.
Counting the days till John Wall is bought out. Morey is content to wait for Dame or Beal to become available and that’s his prerogative. If John Wall is walking the streets, and Morey doesn’t land him. Then I’ll start to call for Morey’s head on the chopping block.
Shooters shooters shooters. It’s what we needed most. Fournier is heaven sent. Best FA signing in yrs, next to Randle. Knicks are deep. And it will pay off during season.
Ben is a YAWN. Who cares what he or Morey think. Make the trade.
#FreeBenSimmons
If Simmons wants privacy then he is 8n yhe wrong profession. Not many jobs where the exact terms and value of your contract are made available to the public. And if he is really mentally unwell, why wait until he gets suspended for being a d bag before he brings it up. It looks like he just planned to show up to the team just to collect his paycheck without working for it, and now hes upset it didn’t work out in his favor.
Randle got help this yr. Offense is so much easier now. Knicks play D like last yr. Then this becomes a special year. Kemba is still fitting in. Seems hesitant at times. Hope I’m wrong and it’s just a new team thing. NYK
One Game the Knicks beat the Celtics. It is good for the NBA if the Knicks are good. Ratings are down so they need a good Knick team.
ESPN had highest NBA ratings in 10 yrs. With Knicks vs Celtics. Also a great game. Big market teams help NBA. When they’re good, absolutely.