Ben Simmons reported to the 76ers so they’d stop fining him.
But the team isn’t done punishing him.
Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia:
Sixers announce Ben Simmons has been suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
— Noah Levick (@NoahLevick) October 19, 2021
Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Sources: Doc Rivers asked Ben Simmons to join a defensive drill today. Simmons refused. Rivers asked again. Simmons said no again.
Rivers then told Simmons he should go home, and Simmons dropped the ball and left.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2021
NBC Sports Philadelphia:
It’s unclear whether Joel Embiid said “I don’t care about than man” or “I don’t care about that, man.” The former would be a much stronger rebuke – especially by someone who not long ago went out of his way to say how much he loves playing with Simmons. Even if not the all-time great quote of “I don’t care about that man”, “Our job is not to babysit somebody” still speaks volumes.
Simmons’ holdout didn’t yield his desired trade. Disrupting the team might – especially if Embiid gets fed up.
Though Simmons will lose a paycheck for missing the opener against the Pelicans, sending him home isn’t necessarily a huge punishment. He doesn’t want to be in Philadelphia anymore.
Players sometimes get kicked out of practice without getting suspended. But the 76ers were probably on high alert after video of yesterday’s practice swirled:
The question: What comes next if not a trade? The next time he’s with the team, will Simmons behave better? If he continues to act out, will the 76ers send him home, even if that means longer being able to fine him?
This is just the latest turn what looks like an ongoing standoff.
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Ben Simmons gets kicked out of practice by Doc Rivers, suspended by 76ers, ripped by Joel Embiid originally appeared on NBCSports.com