76ers Suspends Simmons For Season Opener Against The Pelicans
The 76ers announced late this afternoon that Ben Simmons has been suspended one game for “conduct detrimental to the team” and will miss the season opener against the Pelicans.
Simmons carrying the ball up court
Sources said that Simmons had been “thrown out of practice” by coach Doc Rivers after he declined several times to sub in for a drill. Simmons is in an ongoing battle with the front office to get traded from the 76ers after he was burdened with a lot of blame for the team’s collapse against the Hawks in last year’s playoffs when they were considered a heavy favorite.
Rivers spoke to reporters after the practice saying, “I just thought he was a distraction today. I didn't think he wanted to do what everybody else was doing. It was early. It wasn't a big deal. I just told him he should leave. We went on with practice.''
Leaked footage of Simmons practicing earlier this week rose speculations with the current state of the team. In the video he is seen not participating with the team:
Superstar Joel Embiid couldn’t hold his frustrations anymore when speaking on the Simmons situation.
"At this point I don't care about that man," Embiid said. "He does whatever he wants. That's not my job. That's [the front office's job].
The 76ers’ home opener is Friday when they host the Nets in a marquee matchup.
