According to ESPN, the Philadelphia 76ers have suspended Ben Simmons for their season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. On Wednesday night, the 76ers will be without Simmons. When asked about Joel Embiid’s opinion on the suspension, he emphasized that it is not his responsibility to “babysit” anyone.
“I’m focused on winning,” stated Embiid to the reporters. “To achieve victory, it’s crucial to have a strong bond with your teammates. I indeed have that bond with all of my teammates.”
“But ultimately, our role is not to babysit. We are here to perform on the court, give our all, win games… that’s what we’re compensated for. Our responsibility is not to babysit, and I’m confident that my teammates share the same sentiment,” Embiid added. “Our main focus is on winning and playing together as a team.”
Philadelphia 76ers future plans moving forward
The 76ers announced during Tuesday’s practice that Simmons has been suspended for one game due to behavior that harmed the team, according to NBA Insider Shams Charania on Twitter.
76ers have suspended Ben Simmons for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2021
During practice, 76ers head coach Doc Rivers asked Simmons to join a drill multiple times, but he refused, leading to his removal from the session, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Rivers commented on the incident, stating, “I felt he was causing a disruption today. He didn’t seem willing to participate in the same way as everyone else. It happened early on, and it wasn’t a major issue. I simply suggested he leave, and we continued with practice.”
Simmons incurred a $1.4 million fine for missing all four preseason games, as well as team penalties for skipping practices, on-court workouts, and team meetings, according to Wojnarowski. Since his recent return, Simmons has not earned any money this season.
Lead Up and Results of Simmon’s Suspension
Tuesday appeared to be the breaking point after months of building tension. However, the critique of Simmons for his inconsistent performance in last year’s Eastern Conference title game could hold some truth. While his teammates and the media should not have resorted to dragging and belittling him in this manner, it’s understandable that Simmons requested a trade. Consequently, he decided to hold out for approximately two weeks during training camp to pressure the 76ers into making a trade.
Since his return, Ben Simmons has refrained from addressing the media or making any public statements following the Game 7 loss. Consequently, his teammates and coaches have been compelled to respond to questions on his behalf.
The reality is that this situation isn’t going away anytime soon. In the meantime, Rivers and Embiid are making efforts to redirect the narrative, claiming that the rest of the team remains focused. However, both individuals grew frustrated as the issue persisted. Until a trade is finalized, Simmons, who signed a significant extension, will remain a member of the 76ers, whether both sides desire it or not.
“I don’t care about him at this point,” Embiid remarked, referring to Simmons. “He does as he pleases. It’s not my responsibility.”
“… My job is to perform and bring victories. Ultimately, our aim is to win a championship,” Embiid added. “But as I always say, I can’t do it alone. I rely on my teammates, and they’re ready to support me, just as I am ready to support them. We’ll continue working together.”
