Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons lastly spoke in regards to the drama surrounding his remaining yr in Philadelphia earlier than being traded to New York, as he revealed he simply wished ‘assist’ from the 76ers group as a result of private struggles along with his psychological well being.
The 26-year-old appeared on former Philly teammate J.J. Redick’s podcast – The Previous Man & The Three – on Wednesday.
He revealed the way it felt to not play for the whole lot of the 2021-22 season, being on the receiving finish of again surgical procedure in Could, and the way he pushed for the 76ers high brass to commerce him on the finish of the 2020-21 season.
‘I used to be in such a nasty place the place I used to be like, f***, I am attempting to get right here and also you guys are, like, throwing all these different issues at me to the place you are not serving to,’ Simmons mentioned, referring to issues along with his psychological struggles final season.
‘And that is all I wished, was assist,’ he added, suggesting the 76ers left him out within the chilly.
Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons spoke to J.J. Redick on his podcast about final season with 76ers
The purpose guard mentioned he did not really feel as if he had assist from Philly over his psychological well being points
‘I did not really feel like I bought it from coaches, teammates. I will not say all teammates, as a result of there’s nice guys on that crew that did attain out and are nonetheless my associates however I did not really feel like I bought that, and it was only a robust place for me,’ the Australia-born basketball participant additional mentioned.
In February, Simmons was traded, together with Andre Drummond, Seth Curry and two future first-round picks to the Nets in change for James Harden and Paul Millsap.
Two months later, in April, Nets head coach Steve Nash confirmed Simmons would sit-out for the rest of the common season and the play-in event.
The ex-LSU participant was then scheduled to make his Brooklyn debut within the first spherical of the playoffs on April 24 as a result of Nets going through a sweep to the Boston Celtics on the time.
He was finally dominated out of the fixture as a result of again soreness. The Nets had been then eradicated from the playoffs and Simmons proceeded to go below the knife for his again in Could.
The purpose guard, nonetheless, revealed that he confronted his hardest time away from the court docket in February as he did not ‘really feel like himself’ – a month earlier than the blockbuster commerce to the Massive Apple that ended his five-year keep in Philadelphia.
Simmons additionally instructed Redick that he tried ‘to do the best factor’ by attempting to hoop once more previous to the beginning of final season – after he had threatened the 76ers entrance workplace that he would probably by no means play for the franchise once more.
Simmons additionally instructed Redick (proper) about his altercation with 76ers coach Doc Rivers in observe
In October, previous to the crew’s season opener towards the New Orleans Pelicans, 76ers coach Doc Rivers threw Simmons off form for being a ‘distraction’ after the three-time All-Star refused to sub in for a drill.
He was finally suspended for the October twentieth sport, which the 76ers finally gained, for conduct detrimental to the crew.
‘I really spoke to Doc earlier than observe. I used to be like, ”Doc, I am not prepared. Mentally, I am not prepared. Please simply perceive that,”’ Simmons instructed Redick on the 38-year-old’s podcast.
‘I attempted to let him know prior, and he was like, ”Properly, I’ll put you in anyway.” I am like, ”All proper.” He instructed me to get in. I checked out him. It was like one minute into observe, like, ”Ben, get in.”’
‘I am like, to start with, nobody’s doing that. You are doing this on function. And that is how I felt, too. It looks as if everybody’s attempting to f*** with me now. I am getting fined for not lifting weights, however bodily I am one of many strongest guys on the f***ing crew,’ the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Yr added.
‘So now they’re fining me for little issues. It was only a buildup. Clearly, I did not deal with issues the best means, however, additionally, the crew did not both, and the individuals who had that energy.’
Simmons is now wanting ahead to lastly play with the Nets after not enjoying all of final season
Simmons, who No. 1 draft decide in 2016 and who was twice named within the league’s All-Defensive First Workforce (2020, 2021), not holds any grudges towards his former crew after reaching a settlement with the 76ers to recuperate a portion of the estimated $20million that he claims the group owed him, ESPN reported in August.
‘I do not care in regards to the cash,’ Simmons confused to Redick. ‘It is not in regards to the cash for me now. I would like peace and happiness. I wish to be in a great place, and if that prices me no matter it is going to price, that is what it prices. My peace is extra worthwhile than cash.’
Now main a brand new journey in Brooklyn, he’s anticipated to hyperlink up with Nets stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant this month earlier than probably making his crew debut towards the Pelicans on October 19.
‘It may be sick. I am unable to wait,’ Simmons mentioned on the podcast. ‘I am so excited. Acquired a brand new quantity, new jersey. I am simply wanting ahead to it. I feel we’ve got a particular crew. I feel if we get all of it collectively, we will be the champions. That is the top purpose.’
