Ben Simmons and the Sixers could never get on the same page last offseason, but it sounds like things will be different with the Nets, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Simmons and his representatives will work with the team on a plan to optimize his physical and mental health in advance of training camp, a source close to Simmons tells Lewis.
“We will work together with the Nets on a summer plan,” the source said. “Everyone is confident.”
Simmons is recovering from microdiscectomy surgery that he underwent May 4 because of a herniated L-4 disk in his lower back. He is expected to need three months of rehab before he can start playing again, and Nets officials want him to do as much of that work as possible in Brooklyn.
One encouraging sign, according to Lewis, is that Simmons has agreed to sell his mansion in South Jersey and his condo in downtown Philadelphia.
At a press conference this week, Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said Simmons is “feeling relief already” from the operation and expressed optimism that he will be back at full strength next season.
Sixers president Daryl Morey admitted that he couldn’t build a rapport with Simmons, who wasn’t willing to open up to the team’s mental health professionals, Lewis adds. No agreement has been reached yet on whether Simmons will see therapists who work for the Nets, but Marks said there will be benefits from having him at the team’s training facility and being around his teammates and coaches.
“[The question] of how do we support him through the mental performance side of things, that’s a touchy subject,” Marks said. “I don’t want to talk about someone’s mental health or mental performance. I’m going to let Ben address that at the correct time. I will say this: Whether it’s the NBA or whether, what everyone’s been going through, I look around and I’d love to [see] if there’s anyone out there who hasn’t had some type of mental fatigue over the last two years. This has not been easy for anybody. I’m not making an excuse with anyone in the pro sports area, but we all need support. And we’re coming through it. And same for Ben.”
Everyone is too scared to say it, but at what point do we acknowledge that Simmons is simply playing the system in order to get played for not doing anything? He’s just using “mental health” as a shield to avoid being criticized.
What is the difference between Simmons and Harden?
Exactly the same thing.
Simmons have 2 shot attempts in the second half of the elimination game last year.
Harden have 2 shot attempts in the second half of the elimination game this year.
Both of them have “mental health” thing?
Harden plays. Simmons doesn’t.
Philly would honestly be better if Harden didn’t play.
Everyone has been saying it in the comments.
@Blood
I’ve absolutely doubted him and disliked how he’s played things up until this point but faking a story about having surgery requires a lot complicity especially the Nets who I assume are privy to his medical reports. Question isn’t WOULD he stoop so low but COULD he stoop so low as to enlist doctors who are supposed to be senior reproach?
Literally worst take I’ve ever heard and I am a noted Ben/Sixers hater
I can only assume that you typed that just to read it out loud to yourself.
You read it and replied bro so assume away
Wow a player working with his team in off season. ……. This is News today.
I’d say for Simmons it is…..
Agreed.
If the hand to forehead emoji were a person
I think Simmons likes Nets.
The Simmons mental health thing is related to the super coach Doc Rivers?
Is there a chance that Harden opts out and walks for nothing this summer?
And what goes back to the Nets? lol
That would not be very professional of Harden
There’s no chance Harden opts out… He’s not sniffing anywhere near $47 million anywhere else at this point.
Yeah, unless “working with the Nets” also entails working to improve his psychological/emotional well-being and balance, does it really matter?
This shows some class from the org, but what to do about Kyrie? He can be such a distraction… I guess he opts in and they see how the season goes with the full squad. It’s tbe only way. Figure out what to do with Drummond and some other minor moves.
And Simmons isn’t? The Nets have out screwed themselves.
Nah. Win-win move for the Nets. If Simmons fades for any reason, they still look classy. And Simmons has all the motivation to do well, build his brand back up, and win.
He also has ~$200M in earnings, so I’d be interested to see how motivated he really is.
He’s in his 20s, he wants to play ball I guarantee you. I am not a nets or Sixers fan but the “Ben Simmons motivation” narrative is f*** ridiculous honestly. Clearly driven by folks with no experience with mental health issues.
Oh a Proper plan, eh
If I’m Durant I want out of that nut house.
He boxed himself in by leaving GSW and joining Kyrie. Looks like his window is closed.
Simmons doesn’t have a mental health problem, he has a weak character problem.
Lmao at this point just tell us when he’s back
Simmons is weak and always has been. Who put a gun to his head and forced him to sign the max in philly. Never worked on his game, shrunk in the moment. Doc had his back at every turn . Good riddance.
Don’t forget his agent, psychiatrist, therapy dog, safe space doorman, his mommy and team of medical professionals who will decide if his body can absorb any potential physical activity they may ask of him.
As disappointing it was for Simmons to not have played for Nets, it was Sixers who wronged Simmons by far. Everybody threw him under the bus last postseason and Sixers should have traded him during the last offseason. It was lose lose for everybody.