Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons passed his physical and held a meeting with the team’s front office on Tuesday, but he remains ineligible to participate in team-related activities until Friday, at the earliest, due to NBA health and safety protocols, sources told ESPN. Simmons met with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand — his first conversation with them since August — in a meeting sources described only as “brief.”
Source: Ramona Shelburne @ ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
As I speculated on the pod with @Danny Leroux today, it appears based on reporting by @Ramona Shelburne that the delay in Ben Simmons passing health & safety protocols is due to not being vaccinated. – 3:30 AM
Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
Ben Simmons passed his physical and held a brief meeting with the Sixers front office on Tuesday, but remains ineligible to participate in team-related activities until Friday due to NBA health and safety protocols, sources told ESPN. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 3:06 AM
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
New BS Podcast: Part 1 of the annual NBA Over/Unders pod w/ @Ryen Russillo @HousefromDC covers the East teams. We tried to talk about Kyrie + Ben Simmons as little as possible. Didn’t totally work.
open.spotify.com/episode/5yjk7P… – 12:24 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons takes required physical for Sixers, playing status still unknown inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 11:50 PM
David Locke @DLocke09
LOCKED ON NBA INSIDER with @adaniels33 as NBA Insider and host @daniellabruce_
How Will the Philadelphia 76ers Respond to Ben Simmons’ Return? | NBA In… youtu.be/ecHrVvld93Y via @YouTube – 10:45 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons takes required physical for #Sixers, playing status still unknown inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 10:43 PM
Ryan McDonough @McDNBA
I’m ignoring Kyrie’s nonsense to focus on something more positive – Ben Simmons reporting to Philadelphia
Here’s Ben outside the Wells Fargo Center last night pic.twitter.com/QSTnjtulgw – 9:04 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons takes required physical for Sixers, playing status still unknown inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 8:43 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
How will Philadelphia fans react to Ben Simmons playing for the Sixers again? #TheMismatch pic.twitter.com/PyOkG1OnLJ – 8:10 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Well @Danny Leroux is back, so is Ben Simmons. Kyrie Irving…..less so. Join us: duncdon.supportingcast.fm – 7:40 PM
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
Ben Simmons passed his physical with Philadelphia this evening, per league sources. He can begin working out on the court in isolation with Sixers coaches tomorrow, as detailed within the NBA’s health and safety protocols when players return to market for preseason activities. – 7:37 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
GAME THEORY PODCAST: @Derek Bodner is here. We chat about Ben Simmons just showing up to the 76ers front door last night, and Kyrie Irving being told he can’t sit with the Nets, Mean Girls style.
SUBSCRIBE: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/gam…
SPOTIFY: open.spotify.com/show/7eZjcZwf6… – 7:28 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sources say Ben Simmons took his required physical today for the #Sixers. His playing status for this season is too be determined. Simmons has to be in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol for 5 days. As a result, he can’t do any team events until Friday. – 5:49 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sources say Ben Simmons took his required physical today for the #Sixers. His playing status for this season is too be determined. Simmons can’t be around teammates for 5 days due to the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol. So he won’t travel to Friday’s preseason finale at the #Pistons. – 5:34 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
A deeper look at the latest Kyrie Irving development, at @TheAthletic
* Is a Ben Simmons deal seen by stakeholders as a real possibility?
* Will Kyrie – contrary to his nature – change his stance?
* What part did owner Joe Tsai’s view possibly play?
theathletic.com/2885135/2021/1… – 5:23 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Ben Simmons isn’t alone in the Holdouts That Didn’t Work Club. Doc Rivers is a member, too.
The latest on Ben and MUCH more, including my first Turkish breakfast I can’t wait to discuss with @Enes Kanter, in my new Tuesday Newsletter Extravaganza out now: marcstein.substack.com/p/holdouts-don… – 4:01 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: If Ben Simmons isn’t back for next Wednesday’s opener, will Shake Milton start for the #Sixers? What will Isaiah Joe’s role be? bit.ly/3v6ViEL pic.twitter.com/BaVqFL4uhb – 4:00 PM
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Lowe Post podcast: @Kevin Arnovitz on the Nets moving on without Kyrie (for now), fake Kyrie trades, Ben Simmons return to Philly — plus our annual 5 Most Confusing Teams:
Apple: apple.co/3oW1XAP
Spotify: spoti.fi/2YGmgHO – 3:33 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Loaded new episode of The Mismatch with @Chris Vernon on the Kyrie Irving news, what’s next for the Sixers now that Ben Simmons showed up, and the Zion Williamson injury. Then we shared eight players, teams, or trends we’re watching for this season. open.spotify.com/episode/10HTtA… – 3:04 PM
John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
kind of @phillysport to get Ben Simmons a little hyperbole welcome home present pic.twitter.com/F7Qkk1wsMr – 2:27 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Doc Rivers can relate to Ben Simmons because he also was once a holdout inquirer.com/sixers/nba-tra… via @phillyinquirer – 2:21 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Something that was lost in all the Ben Simmons hoopla, was the fact that the team did play a basketball game last night. Isaiah Joe played well and earned the praise of his teammates. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/11/mul… via @SixersWire #NBA – 1:51 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
As he deals with the Ben Simmons situation, Doc Rivers recalls his own holdout as a player with the Clippers in 1991 #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/12/six… via @SixersWire #NBA – 1:18 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I obviously hope this ends with Kyrie Irving getting vaccinated. That’s the ideal outcome here.
But holy shit am I having fun imagining a playoff series in which Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving play against Kevin Durant, James Harden and Ben Simmons. – 1:03 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
The circumstances were different, but Doc Rivers, who held out from the #Clippers in 1991, knows what it’s like to rejoin a team after taking a stand.
Rivers can relate to #Sixers‘ Ben Simmons because he also was once a holdout inquirer.com/sixers/nba-tra… via @phillyinquirer – 12:34 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Doc Rivers can relate to Ben Simmons because he also was once a holdout #Sixers inquirer.com/sixers/nba-tra… via @phillyinquirer – 12:33 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers story: Joel Embiid on if there needs to be conversations in the locker room when/if Ben Simmons returns: ‘I think there’s going to be some adjustments, but it doesn’t need to be awkward’ bit.ly/30i9gsc #NBA pic.twitter.com/x8GXlO9P0k – 12:30 PM
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
What are you more tired of/bored of/done with — Ben Simmons stories or Kyrie Irving stories? – 12:24 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
This Ben Simmons development has major Costanza Quitting Friday And Showing Up To Work Monday vibes – 12:08 PM
Ryan McDonough @McDNBA
🧵 The Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons sagas have several ‘chapters’ left, despite our wishes to be done hearing about them
Kyrie may now involve the Players Association and file a grievance, with his argument being that the NBA does not have a rule that prohibits him… – 11:59 AM
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
Another stint on @thehalftimeapp coming up today from 4-5ET, of course talking all things Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, and we’ll be previewing the rest of the East. Download here: apps.apple.com/us/app/halftim… – 11:29 AM
Kyle Ratke @Kyle_Ratke
NEW POD 🔥
Taking a look at the Wolves’ (surprising!) depth & an update to the Ben Simmons situation.
Presented by our great friends at @DraftKings & @Three_Stars!
#TBPNews
open.spotify.com/episode/2OGJTk… – 10:28 AM
Tony East @TEastNBA
Had the pleasure of being joined by Pacers podfather @MillerTimePod for today’s Locked On Pacers! We discussed the NBA GM survey, the latest on Ben Simmons and how it relates to the Pacers, and where Reggie Miller should fall on the NBA 75 list.
📺: youtube.com/watch?v=2WLoCh… pic.twitter.com/f9qQfNnalP – 9:48 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers column: Projecting Doc Rivers’ starting lineup and second unit to begin the 2021-22 season if Ben Simmons is not an option: bit.ly/3v6ViEL #76ers pic.twitter.com/9hDS0yVdiC – 9:40 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers story: Doc Rivers says it ‘sounds like’ Ben Simmons could be back practicing later this week: bit.ly/30i9gsc #NBA pic.twitter.com/l6ZlcPkSdl – 9:30 AM
Tom Ziller @teamziller
Wrote about the twists in the Ben Simmons saga and the twists we won’t know are coming until they happen.
Also, someone needs to prevent me from watching Davion Mitchell highlights — I’m getting in too deep. ziller.substack.com/p/hes-back?jus… – 8:49 AM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Lost in the Ben Simmons hubbub was the fact that last night was the year anniversary of the end of the NBA bubble. I asked the Sixers about that experience and its after-effects, including cramming parts of three seasons into one calendar year:
inquirer.com/sixers/76ers-p… – 8:38 AM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Five observations from an eventful Sixers day: theathletic.com/2883933/2021/1…
— Ben Simmons returns
— Joel Embiid’s reaction to Simmons returning
– Embiid dominating and getting a quick presason hook
— Isaiah Joe’s off-the-bounce development
— Andre Drummond’s solid preseason – 8:36 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
As Ben Simmons makes his return to the team, his teammates explain how they have kept their focus and blocked out the noise amid the drama #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/12/six… via @SixersWire #NBA – 8:16 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Ben Simmons reports to Philadelphia 76ers #NBA
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/12… – 6:56 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: If Ben Simmons isn’t available to open the season, Doc Rivers and the #Sixers ‘pretty much know’ who will take his spot with the starters: bit.ly/3v6ViEL pic.twitter.com/tP5kTJFmnl – 6:50 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Joel Embiid on welcoming Ben Simmons back into the locker room: “I think there’s going to be some adjustments, but it doesn’t need to be awkward. We’re all professionals. We want to win. He gives me the best chance to win … We’re going to be fine.”
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 6:37 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA story: Joel Embiid looks forward to Ben Simmons returning because it’ll make the #Sixers a better team, but ‘I think there’s going to be some adjustments’ bit.ly/30i9gsc #76ers pic.twitter.com/usU0ettxIM – 6:30 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
‘I’m still not convinced Ben Simmons will play for Sixers again’ by Locked On 76ers – Daily Podcast On The Philadelphia Sixers megaphone.link/LKN1139800898 – 6:07 AM
Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
We should finally have some clarity on the Ben Simmons situation today. Can we have a daily-double with Kyrie? Or is that asking to much? – 4:59 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons arrives in Philly for COVID test; Sixers want him back inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 4:55 AM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Woj on Sportscenter with @notthefakeSVP on how things went down with Simmons tonight: “Elton Brand got a text saying, ‘Hey, Ben’s outside the building’” – 12:42 AM
More on this storyline
The Sixers have a preseason game on Friday at the Detroit Pistons, and sources said it’s too early to tell whether Simmons will be cleared to play in that game after staying away from the team for the first two weeks of the preseason. -via ESPN / October 13, 2021
Sam Amick: What I was told was that if (Ben Simmons returns), you’re not going to get a guy who was mentally engaged, you’re not going to get a guy who’s invested. Of course, he would talk to his teammates, because he cares about teammates in general. But, you know, the inference was like, ‘Good luck in communication with anybody else.’ Now, he and Elton brand have a good relationship. That’s the one connection point he still has with the franchise. Beyond that, I just I don’t think there’s any loyalties anywhere. -via Spotify / October 13, 2021
A source familiar with the conversations between Simmons’ camp and the Sixers told PhillyVoice that the only consistent or clear message this offseason was about the accelerated timeline Simmons has been evaluated on compared to other No. 1 overall picks. In most instances, agent Rich Paul and others have pointed out, top picks are sent to bad teams where they can figure out who they are and how their career is going to play out. -via Philly Voice / October 6, 2021