The Tomjas Thread

[Skates]

This is Rich Paul deflecting blame from himself like mad. Terrible agent letting his ego tell Simmons he can force a trade on his terms while under contract for four more years.

[Black Mage]

I'd like to know why Rich Paul didn't say that Ben has not been medically cleared by his "mental health" doctors to participate in the simple activities (film room, lifting, cardio) or to be around the team.

Funny that those league doctors haven't issued something as simple as that.

[DusterBuster]

This is Rich Paul deflecting blame from himself like mad. Terrible agent letting his ego tell Simmons he can force a trade on his terms while under contract for four more years.

How anyone can still think the "mental illness" claim is anything other than a blatant lie is beyond me after Paul's comments. For everyone who wants to handle Simmons with kid gloves at the mere mention of mental illness, having an agent full on come out in the media and expose what would otherwise be private and sensitive personal medical information like this is beyond the pale. No way anyone would ever do that unless you're abusing mental illness as a way to get paid.

F Rich Paul and Ben Simmons. Absolutely despicable.

[Tomjas]

So much ignorance

[Sixerscan]

This is Rich Paul deflecting blame from himself like mad. Terrible agent letting his ego tell Simmons he can force a trade on his terms while under contract for four more years.

How anyone can still think the "mental illness" claim is anything other than a blatant lie is beyond me after Paul's comments. For everyone who wants to handle Simmons with kid gloves at the mere mention of mental illness, having an agent full on come out in the media and expose what would otherwise be private and sensitive personal medical information like this is beyond the pale. No way anyone would ever do that unless you're abusing mental illness as a way to get paid.

F Rich Paul and Ben Simmons. Absolutely despicable.

As far as we know he hasn't even claimed he's been diagnosed with an actual mental illness. They're very careful to just say "mental issues" and stuff like that.

It's all very strange.

[Mik317]

I think Ben is causing Sixer fans mental health problems.

naw we had that before this as shown by us willingly rooting for this franchise

[Black Mage]

This is Rich Paul deflecting blame from himself like mad. Terrible agent letting his ego tell Simmons he can force a trade on his terms while under contract for four more years.

How anyone can still think the "mental illness" claim is anything other than a blatant lie is beyond me after Paul's comments. For everyone who wants to handle Simmons with kid gloves at the mere mention of mental illness, having an agent full on come out in the media and expose what would otherwise be private and sensitive personal medical information like this is beyond the pale. No way anyone would ever do that unless you're abusing mental illness as a way to get paid.

F Rich Paul and Ben Simmons. Absolutely despicable.

As far as we know he hasn't even claimed he's been diagnosed with an actual mental illness. They're very careful to just say "mental issues" and stuff like that.

It's all very strange.

Rich Paul gave an exclusive to Shams and made sure to say 4x that Ben has "mental health" issues. It is no longer that he is not "mentally ready to play" Paul is now claiming it is a "mental health issue." So this has now entered a whole new realm.

[Black Mage]

I think Ben is causing Sixer fans mental health problems.

naw we had that before this as shown by us willingly rooting for this franchise

Being a Philly sports fan is a perpetual mental health issue.

[Tomjas]

How anyone can still think the "mental illness" claim is anything other than a blatant lie is beyond me after Paul's comments. For everyone who wants to handle Simmons with kid gloves at the mere mention of mental illness, having an agent full on come out in the media and expose what would otherwise be private and sensitive personal medical information like this is beyond the pale. No way anyone would ever do that unless you're abusing mental illness as a way to get paid.

F Rich Paul and Ben Simmons. Absolutely despicable.

As far as we know he hasn't even claimed he's been diagnosed with an actual mental illness. They're very careful to just say "mental issues" and stuff like that.

It's all very strange.

Rich Paul gave an exclusive to Shams and made sure to say 4x that Ben has "mental health" issues. It is no longer that he is not "mentally ready to play" Paul is now claiming it is a "mental health issue." So this has now entered a whole new realm.

You don’t see a therapist for months if everything is hunky dory

[Black Mage]

As far as we know he hasn't even claimed he's been diagnosed with an actual mental illness. They're very careful to just say "mental issues" and stuff like that.

It's all very strange.

Rich Paul gave an exclusive to Shams and made sure to say 4x that Ben has "mental health" issues. It is no longer that he is not "mentally ready to play" Paul is now claiming it is a "mental health issue." So this has now entered a whole new realm.

You don’t see a therapist for months if everything is hunky dory

Mental health is treated the same as a physical injury. All Simmons needed was to present the Sixers with a doctor's opinion that he is not medically cleared to play basketball, engage in team activities or be at the team facility. If he had produced that note the CBA would have covered him and he would not be able to be fined.

It's convenient that you forget Ben and Paul both postured that they were ready to sit out the entire season and lose all his money unless he got what he wanted which was a trade to a team in CA. There was NEVER any revelation of mental health or therapist treatment until after Ben found out he won't get his money and needed an "injury" that could be used to justify him missing games.

Oh and the team is ENTITLED to receive an employee's doctor's report if you claim you are incapable of playing. Mental or physical a doctor has to opine the player is not ready to play.

[Sixerscan]

How anyone can still think the "mental illness" claim is anything other than a blatant lie is beyond me after Paul's comments. For everyone who wants to handle Simmons with kid gloves at the mere mention of mental illness, having an agent full on come out in the media and expose what would otherwise be private and sensitive personal medical information like this is beyond the pale. No way anyone would ever do that unless you're abusing mental illness as a way to get paid.

F Rich Paul and Ben Simmons. Absolutely despicable.

As far as we know he hasn't even claimed he's been diagnosed with an actual mental illness. They're very careful to just say "mental issues" and stuff like that.

It's all very strange.

Rich Paul gave an exclusive to Shams and made sure to say 4x that Ben has "mental health" issues. It is no longer that he is not "mentally ready to play" Paul is now claiming it is a "mental health issue." So this has now entered a whole new realm.

Seems pretty similar to me (I don't think we disagree about the heart of this), but either way that's not the step he needs to go to under the CBA to get paid without providing services. Pretty sure it's "mental disability" or something like that, which involves an actual diagnosis from a doctor not just Rich Paul saying stuff.

Notice also that Rich Paul isn't actually disputing the fines in any of these quotes he's just saying they aren't helping.

edit - Yeah per your post above we are basically in agreement. Simmons/Paul are trying to flame the Sixers about calling him a liar or whatever when really they're just asking for the doctors note.

[Mik317]

a lot of this would be cleared up if Ben just made a statement himself.
most of this stuff has leaked from "sources" and ****

I will say this tho.

There is no chance in hell Ben ever suits up for us again tho. So while I do get having to say otherwise for leverage and I am all for not just trading him from crap....approaching this with the idea that that dude can walk through that door again is fantasy land. AS stated previously..I don't like talking on other peoples mental struggles. **** sucks and is different for everyone and I am sure Ben at the very least isn't too jazzed about facing the music; "lying" or not. But the damage has been done and this is not a town that forgives...ever. **** hold grudges from the 60's around here.

[Black Mage]

As far as we know he hasn't even claimed he's been diagnosed with an actual mental illness. They're very careful to just say "mental issues" and stuff like that.

It's all very strange.

Rich Paul gave an exclusive to Shams and made sure to say 4x that Ben has "mental health" issues. It is no longer that he is not "mentally ready to play" Paul is now claiming it is a "mental health issue." So this has now entered a whole new realm.

Seems pretty similar to me (I don't think we disagree about the heart of this), but either way that's not the step he needs to go to under the CBA to get paid without providing services. Pretty sure it's "mental disability" or something like that, which involves an actual diagnosis from a doctor not just Rich Paul saying stuff.

Notice also that Rich Paul isn't actually disputing the fines in any of these quotes he's just saying they aren't helping.

The difference has more to do with the legal ramifications under the CBA. You are correct that you and I agree in the practical sense.

[freshie2]

Rich Paul is saying Ben Simmons is now untradeable- and will remain on the Sixers roster until his contract expires. Unfortunate for him, and unfortunate for the franchise.

[Black Mage]

a lot of this would be cleared up if Ben just made a statement himself.
most of this stuff has leaked from "sources" and ****

I will say this tho.

There is no chance in hell Ben ever suits up for us again tho. So while I do get having to say otherwise for leverage and I am all for not just trading him from crap....approaching this with the idea that that dude can walk through that door again is fantasy land. AS stated previously..I don't like talking on other peoples mental struggles. **** sucks and is different for everyone and I am sure Ben at the very least isn't too jazzed about facing the music; "lying" or not. But the damage has been done and this is not a town that forgives...ever. **** hold grudges from the 60's around here.

This is why I said Ownership could have resolved the leverage issue by saying we're billionaires, we are prepared to eat his salary and make him sit for the remainder of his contract. We don't care, so there won't be any low ball offers considered.

I do wonder if Paul pushes the mental health angle can the Sixers appeal to the league for a medical exemption to recover all or part of Ben's cap hit so they can regain some space.

[76ciology]

Where is your game thread?

Anyways, guys im blown away, and need an explanation.




How are you guys so elite without Ben?? In transition offense, in the half court, in half court D. I mean maybe Ben was the key to stopping transition (I doubt it), what even is this?? Why do you have posters upset??

Not only that, but Doc is #1 on both sides of the ball on ATOs. Sorry guys, I hate your team (and all non-Raps teams), but im so impressed.

Lastly, yes im aware of competition/small samples/etc.., im just talking about the current data. Goodluck this season if this provides 0 discourse.

Morey got the right talent while Doc Rivers got our right talent play the right way.

[Sixerscan]

a lot of this would be cleared up if Ben just made a statement himself.
most of this stuff has leaked from "sources" and ****

I will say this tho.

There is no chance in hell Ben ever suits up for us again tho. So while I do get having to say otherwise for leverage and I am all for not just trading him from crap....approaching this with the idea that that dude can walk through that door again is fantasy land. AS stated previously..I don't like talking on other peoples mental struggles. **** sucks and is different for everyone and I am sure Ben at the very least isn't too jazzed about facing the music; "lying" or not. But the damage has been done and this is not a town that forgives...ever. **** hold grudges from the 60's around here.

This is why I said Ownership could have resolved the leverage issue by saying we're billionaires, we are prepared to eat his salary and make him sit for the remainder of his contract. We don't care, so there won't be any low ball offers considered.

I do wonder if Paul pushes the mental health angle can the Sixers appeal to the league for a medical exemption to recover all or part of Ben's cap hit so they can regain some space.

The thing is I don't think they could get an exemption like that unless Ben actually provides a diagnosis that he has an actual mental illness/disability. That seems like a necessary step to prove it to the people that decide money stuff.

[Black Mage]

a lot of this would be cleared up if Ben just made a statement himself.
most of this stuff has leaked from "sources" and ****

I will say this tho.

There is no chance in hell Ben ever suits up for us again tho. So while I do get having to say otherwise for leverage and I am all for not just trading him from crap....approaching this with the idea that that dude can walk through that door again is fantasy land. AS stated previously..I don't like talking on other peoples mental struggles. **** sucks and is different for everyone and I am sure Ben at the very least isn't too jazzed about facing the music; "lying" or not. But the damage has been done and this is not a town that forgives...ever. **** hold grudges from the 60's around here.

This is why I said Ownership could have resolved the leverage issue by saying we're billionaires, we are prepared to eat his salary and make him sit for the remainder of his contract. We don't care, so there won't be any low ball offers considered.

I do wonder if Paul pushes the mental health angle can the Sixers appeal to the league for a medical exemption to recover all or part of Ben's cap hit so they can regain some space.

The thing is I don't think they could get an exemption like that unless Ben actually provides a diagnosis that he has an actual mental illness/disability. That seems like a necessary step to prove it to the people that decide money stuff.

Agreed. But there are some on these boards who actually still believe the BS so of they are right then that could be an option to letting Simmons rot while getting cap space back.

[76ciology]

Not opting to provide the diagnosis and let Ben be checked by our team’s medical professionals is also worsening Ben’s mental condition right?!

[SixthStreet]

My takeaway from the Klutch diarrhea is that they know they have no standing on disputing the fines. It'll be interesting to see how long they'll continue this charade. Because what they are heading towards is a circuitous route to holding out the entire year without pay.