Ben Simmons says the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t do enough to help him as he dealt with mental health issues.
Speaking to his former teammate JJ Redick on The Old Man & the Three podcast, published Thursday, the Australian said he was in a “tough place” in Philadelphia.
Ben Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.Credit:access point
“I didn’t feel like I got it from the coaches, teammates, I won’t say all the teammates because there are great guys on that team that reached out and are still my friends, but I didn’t feel like I got it. and it was a difficult place for me,” he said.
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, sat out the start of the 2021-22 season while seeking a trade with the 76ers. in a deadlock, the 76ers traded him to the Brooklyn Nets in Februarygetting James Harden and Paul Millsap in return, but Simmons never played last season. He underwent surgery in April for a back injury.
Simmons said he tried to return to the 76ers last season, but coach Doc Rivers kicked him out of practice and later suspended him.
“I actually talked to Doc before practice. I was like, ‘Doctor, I’m not ready.’ Mentally, I’m not ready. Please understand that,’” Simmons told Redick.
Ben Simmons was fined by the Philadelphia 76ers multiple times in his matchup with the team.Credit:access point
“I tried to let him know earlier, and he was like, ‘Well, I’m going to include you anyway.’ I’m like, ‘Okay.’ She told me to come in. I looked at it. It was like a minute of practice, like, ‘Ben, hop on.’
“I’m like, first of all, no one is doing that. You are doing this on purpose. And that’s how I felt too. It seems like everyone is trying to f— me now. I get fined for not lifting weights, but physically I’m one of the strongest guys on the fucking team. So now they’re fining me for little things. It was just a buildup. Obviously I didn’t handle things the right way, but neither did the team and the people who had that power.”
