Sixers Suspend Ben Simmons For One Game

[mademan]

Doubt it they are going to fine him again and again until the league steps in and going by Silvers comments it appears the league is backing Morey.

i wouldnt wanna be the team that fines a player claiming mental health issues. Even if that player is Ben Simmons

I see the 76er fining him. If this goes to arbitration Simmons still will lose because his action and intent will sink him. I have never seen such a combination of stupidity and incompetence in the NBA and that’s saying a lot.

I feel like people are letting their hate cloud their judgement here. Havent we been talking about Ben Simmons mental issues for a while? How he is too scared and embarrassed to even attempt a shot.

Like he could be stupid, played this horribly and still be mentally freaked out about the possibility of suiting up on the Sixers court. Those 2 things arent mutually exclusive

[Bornstellar]

Simmons is a real piece of **** using mental health to try and collect his checks, it's a slap in the face to everyone that actually has to deal with issues.

I actually believe he has mental health issues and said it over a year ago. Forget the on court stuff, the off court family issues about his sister is no joke and all off it coincided with his play going down hill last season. Throw in that they told him he was traded for Harden and you can see the mental toll it’s taking on him.

This. Not defending Simmons trade demand but purely on the mental health aspect. None of us know what he's really thinking or going through. Yes we'd all love to be as rich as he is but we all know life is not all about money. He could be making excuses and probably is or he could legit be struggling handling everything because of the post above. None of us truly know for sure

[loserX]

Doubt it they are going to fine him again and again until the league steps in and going by Silvers comments it appears the league is backing Morey.

i wouldnt wanna be the team that fines a player claiming mental health issues. Even if that player is Ben Simmons

It’s called fraud. Same as people who fake injury for disability checks. I’m not sure being fraudulent in a highly visible case is the right way to go about things, but Simmons is special.

- What mental illness, specifically, is Simmons claiming? So far all I've seen *anyone* say is "not mentally ready", which I'm pretty sure is not an entry in the DSM-V.
- Fraud has to be proven. Any evidence that Simmons is mentally ready, or that he does not have whatever undisclosed illness is being claimed?

[SwatLakeCity527]

Read on Twitter

Yikes is right. This is the absolute worst thing Morey can do and I'm shocked he's actually going this route. Even if he feels it to his marrow, essentially saying we'd rather hold onto you and not get anything for the next four years -- basically a layer of vengeance slipping through -- than get role players from other teams -- basically not negotiating in good faith as I think, for example, CJ and three picks is hardly a paltry offer, and it would certainly help 76ers right now -- he's not that much different than Ben -- he wants what he wants and that's it.

It's an absolute professional misstep to voice this publicly as he's now creating a viable option to point to as adversarial -- 'See? They don't want to trade me in good faith.'

Morey can't expect to get #1 franchise guy offers when by all actions Embiid is established as that on the 76ers. And Dame is that on the Blazers. And Beal is that on the Wizards. So why would teams trade their franchise guys for Simmons who is not even that on the 76ers?

So not only is Morey now coming across as trying to screw it to Ben, but also to the teams he's apparently negotiating with while insulting their offers. He's in dick waving mode trying to 'win' everything with everybody.

And it'll only last so long as Embiid isn't tired of it. So who is Morey kidding with the 'lasting four years' malarkey? Hard to see how this is in the best interests of the franchise.

This probably ends by the trade deadline. Morey is using this as a tactic to get Ben back into the gym and playing. He is trying to show Rich Paul and Ben that this will go long forever, if Ben does not cooperate. Ben just went down a road everyone knew he could, but didn't believe he would. Faking injury, and worse mental illness. Ben is knowingly tanking his value, yet it's Morey's job to just be like, yeah it's okay, you can make this all about you, and we'll trade you for pennies? Like you said as long as Jo is fine with this pass they'll stick to it. I don't see it going past the deadline.

I get it. I just disagree that this tactic is in any way constructive. It's coming across as Morey taking it personally and like it's getting to him, as in he feels the need to engage in the back and forth in the media.

If this is to last until the trade deadline, then Morey ought to have just been a pro publicly and worked behind the scenes. Either way, Ben is not returning to play for the 76ers. But the words from other FOs is that it's Morey who's not negotiating in good faith. As I explained, if Ben isn't the franchise player, how can he reasonably expect a franchise player back? There have been ten or so teams in play for Ben up until recently. That's a third of the league! Even if more players become available by December, is there any indication that a franchise player will be available? It won't be Dame or Beal this season. It's just waiting for a hypothetical. And in that it still circles back to sticking it to anyone and everyone who isn't acquiescing to his demands. It's that two guys, Ben and Morey, dressed as Spiderman pointing at each other meme. Morey's stooping rather than rising above it and it shows.

I think it is somewhat smart of Morey. It's basically telling other teams that he isn't going to take role players and to up the trade if they want Ben. Ben is already cheapening himself. If Morey was to give in and sell for role players, he'd lose out to Ben's antics. Pretty soon some team will be wanting a Ben Simmons on their team and will be willing to cop out for it, but Morey is sticking to his guns that he knows what Ben is worth.

[Pharmcat]

This probably ends by the trade deadline. Morey is using this as a tactic to get Ben back into the gym and playing. He is trying to show Rich Paul and Ben that this will go long forever, if Ben does not cooperate. Ben just went down a road everyone knew he could, but didn't believe he would. Faking injury, and worse mental illness. Ben is knowingly tanking his value, yet it's Morey's job to just be like, yeah it's okay, you can make this all about you, and we'll trade you for pennies? Like you said as long as Jo is fine with this pass they'll stick to it. I don't see it going past the deadline.

I get it. I just disagree that this tactic is in any way constructive. It's coming across as Morey taking it personally and like it's getting to him, as in he feels the need to engage in the back and forth in the media.

If this is to last until the trade deadline, then Morey ought to have just been a pro publicly and worked behind the scenes. Either way, Ben is not returning to play for the 76ers. But the words from other FOs is that it's Morey who's not negotiating in good faith. As I explained, if Ben isn't the franchise player, how can he reasonably expect a franchise player back? There have been ten or so teams in play for Ben up until recently. That's a third of the league! Even if more players become available by December, is there any indication that a franchise player will be available? It won't be Dame or Beal this season. It's just waiting for a hypothetical. And in that it still circles back to sticking it to anyone and everyone who isn't acquiescing to his demands. It's that two guys, Ben and Morey, dressed as Spiderman pointing at each other meme. Morey's stooping rather than rising above it and it shows.

I think it is somewhat smart of Morey. It's basically telling other teams that he isn't going to take role players and to up the trade if they want Ben. Ben is already cheapening himself. If Morey was to give in and sell for role players, he'd lose out to Ben's antics. Pretty soon some team will be wanting a Ben Simmons on their team and will be willing to cop out for it, but Morey is sticking to his guns that he knows what Ben is worth.

McCollum , Covington, one frp. I don’t see anything more than that .

And I agree morey has to take this stance

[SpreeChokeJob]

i wouldnt wanna be the team that fines a player claiming mental health issues. Even if that player is Ben Simmons

It’s called fraud. Same as people who fake injury for disability checks. I’m not sure being fraudulent in a highly visible case is the right way to go about things, but Simmons is special.

- What mental illness, specifically, is Simmons claiming? So far all I've seen *anyone* say is "not mentally ready", which I'm pretty sure is not an entry in the DSM-V.
- Fraud has to be proven. Any evidence that Simmons is mentally ready, or that he does not have whatever undisclosed illness is being claimed?

Yeah that’s why he’s stupid. People who commit fraud aren’t visible and the one who is doing the payout will send investigators. His life is a public one. Don’t be claiming you’re too sick for school and have any pictures showing he’s playing hooky.

It’s more harder for him to do the wrong things in life than just walk the right road in life, but I guess everyone has to make these mistakes in their 20’s. The sad ones keep repeating the same mistakes their whole life.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Morey is playing with a big fire. Simmons is represented by Rich Paul. The most powerful agent in the league now. Not a guy you wanna get on the bad side with

This is good for the league, long term though. Hopefully this drags out the entire year. And BS doesn't get a dime in pay.

I agree Morey is the “good guy” in this situation. Unfortunately I don’t see it ending well for Philly, even if he has a right to do it.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Morey is playing with a big fire. Simmons is represented by Rich Paul. The most powerful agent in the league now. Not a guy you wanna get on the bad side with

Why, because Paul will advise his clients to sit out, whilst not knowing the basic tenants of the CBA? How's that working for Ben right now?

You ever hear of free agency and trades? See Harden and AD for recent examples

[zimpy27]

Read on Twitter

Yikes.

Read on Twitter

Yikes is right. This is the absolute worst thing Morey can do and I'm shocked he's actually going this route. Even if he feels it to his marrow, essentially saying we'd rather hold onto you and not get anything for the next four years -- basically a layer of vengeance slipping through -- than get role players from other teams -- basically not negotiating in good faith as I think, for example, CJ and three picks is hardly a paltry offer, and it would certainly help 76ers right now -- he's not that much different than Ben -- he wants what he wants and that's it.

It's an absolute professional misstep to voice this publicly as he's now creating a viable option to point to as adversarial -- 'See? They don't want to trade me in good faith.'

Morey can't expect to get #1 franchise guy offers when by all actions Embiid is established as that on the 76ers. And Dame is that on the Blazers. And Beal is that on the Wizards. So why would teams trade their franchise guys for Simmons who is not even that on the 76ers?

So not only is Morey now coming across as trying to screw it to Ben, but also to the teams he's apparently negotiating with while insulting their offers. He's in dick waving mode trying to 'win' everything with everybody.

And it'll only last so long as Embiid isn't tired of it. So who is Morey kidding with the 'lasting four years' malarkey? Hard to see how this is in the best interests of the franchise.

This probably ends by the trade deadline. Morey is using this as a tactic to get Ben back into the gym and playing. He is trying to show Rich Paul and Ben that this will go long forever, if Ben does not cooperate. Ben just went down a road everyone knew he could, but didn't believe he would. Faking injury, and worse mental illness. Ben is knowingly tanking his value, yet it's Morey's job to just be like, yeah it's okay, you can make this all about you, and we'll trade you for pennies? Like you said as long as Jo is fine with this pass they'll stick to it. I don't see it going past the deadline.

Yeah I say probably by the deadline and at the latest it will be next offseason.

[Pharmcat]

i wouldnt wanna be the team that fines a player claiming mental health issues. Even if that player is Ben Simmons

I see the 76er fining him. If this goes to arbitration Simmons still will lose because his action and intent will sink him. I have never seen such a combination of stupidity and incompetence in the NBA and that’s saying a lot.

I feel like people are letting their hate cloud their judgement here. Havent we been talking about Ben Simmons mental issues for a while? How he is too scared and embarrassed to even attempt a shot.

Like he could be stupid, played this horribly and still be mentally freaked out about the possibility of suiting up on the Sixers court. Those 2 things arent mutually exclusive

If he has a mental issue he should have said that from the get go, everyone would believe him and phi would get him the best experts. But people are going to question it now given the timing , him losing money , etc

[Pharmcat]

Morey is playing with a big fire. Simmons is represented by Rich Paul. The most powerful agent in the league now. Not a guy you wanna get on the bad side with

Why, because Paul will advise his clients to sit out, whilst not knowing the basic tenants of the CBA? How's that working for Ben right now?

You ever hear of free agency and trades? See Harden and AD for recent examples

Remember Noel? Klutch is becoming a nuisance for this league.

[mademan]

I see the 76er fining him. If this goes to arbitration Simmons still will lose because his action and intent will sink him. I have never seen such a combination of stupidity and incompetence in the NBA and that’s saying a lot.

I feel like people are letting their hate cloud their judgement here. Havent we been talking about Ben Simmons mental issues for a while? How he is too scared and embarrassed to even attempt a shot.

Like he could be stupid, played this horribly and still be mentally freaked out about the possibility of suiting up on the Sixers court. Those 2 things arent mutually exclusive

If he has a mental issue he should have said that from the get go, everyone would believe him and phi would get him the best experts. But people are going to question it now given the timing , him losing money , etc

i dont know whether he has a mental illness. I think it's pretty clear he's got some issues and cant handle pressure well

[xdrta+]

I feel like people are letting their hate cloud their judgement here. Havent we been talking about Ben Simmons mental issues for a while? How he is too scared and embarrassed to even attempt a shot.

Like he could be stupid, played this horribly and still be mentally freaked out about the possibility of suiting up on the Sixers court. Those 2 things arent mutually exclusive

If he has a mental issue he should have said that from the get go, everyone would believe him and phi would get him the best experts. But people are going to question it now given the timing , him losing money , etc

i dont know whether he has a mental illness. I think it's pretty clear he's got some issues and cant handle pressure well

I don't think that will cut it if he's trying to sit out and still get paid.

[loserX]

It’s called fraud. Same as people who fake injury for disability checks. I’m not sure being fraudulent in a highly visible case is the right way to go about things, but Simmons is special.

- What mental illness, specifically, is Simmons claiming? So far all I've seen *anyone* say is "not mentally ready", which I'm pretty sure is not an entry in the DSM-V.
- Fraud has to be proven. Any evidence that Simmons is mentally ready, or that he does not have whatever undisclosed illness is being claimed?

Yeah that’s why he’s stupid. People who commit fraud aren’t visible and the one who is doing the payout will send investigators. His life is a public one. Don’t be claiming you’re too sick for school and have any pictures showing he’s playing hooky.

All I've seen claimed is that he is not mentally ready to play pro basketball. If he somehow gets pictures taken of himself playing pro basketball, then I guess the Sixers have him. That would be quite something, however.

[jbk1234]

This probably ends by the trade deadline. Morey is using this as a tactic to get Ben back into the gym and playing. He is trying to show Rich Paul and Ben that this will go long forever, if Ben does not cooperate. Ben just went down a road everyone knew he could, but didn't believe he would. Faking injury, and worse mental illness. Ben is knowingly tanking his value, yet it's Morey's job to just be like, yeah it's okay, you can make this all about you, and we'll trade you for pennies? Like you said as long as Jo is fine with this pass they'll stick to it. I don't see it going past the deadline.

I get it. I just disagree that this tactic is in any way constructive. It's coming across as Morey taking it personally and like it's getting to him, as in he feels the need to engage in the back and forth in the media.

If this is to last until the trade deadline, then Morey ought to have just been a pro publicly and worked behind the scenes. Either way, Ben is not returning to play for the 76ers. But the words from other FOs is that it's Morey who's not negotiating in good faith. As I explained, if Ben isn't the franchise player, how can he reasonably expect a franchise player back? There have been ten or so teams in play for Ben up until recently. That's a third of the league! Even if more players become available by December, is there any indication that a franchise player will be available? It won't be Dame or Beal this season. It's just waiting for a hypothetical. And in that it still circles back to sticking it to anyone and everyone who isn't acquiescing to his demands. It's that two guys, Ben and Morey, dressed as Spiderman pointing at each other meme. Morey's stooping rather than rising above it and it shows.

I think it is somewhat smart of Morey. It's basically telling other teams that he isn't going to take role players and to up the trade if they want Ben. Ben is already cheapening himself. If Morey was to give in and sell for role players, he'd lose out to Ben's antics. Pretty soon some team will be wanting a Ben Simmons on their team and will be willing to cop out for it, but Morey is sticking to his guns that he knows what Ben is worth.

But who wants Ben at Morey's price right now given everything thats transpired? Like, I'm open to arguments as to why Simmons is worth more now than he was this summer, or why he'll be worth more in the future than he is now, but I'm not hearing any good ones.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

[eyeatoma]

Morey is playing with a big fire. Simmons is represented by Rich Paul. The most powerful agent in the league now. Not a guy you wanna get on the bad side with

Why, because Paul will advise his clients to sit out, whilst not knowing the basic tenants of the CBA? How's that working for Ben right now?

You ever hear of free agency and trades? See Harden and AD for recent examples

Both of those examples had significantly more leverage because they were ending their contracts, and not beginning them.

[G R E Y]

This probably ends by the trade deadline. Morey is using this as a tactic to get Ben back into the gym and playing. He is trying to show Rich Paul and Ben that this will go long forever, if Ben does not cooperate. Ben just went down a road everyone knew he could, but didn't believe he would. Faking injury, and worse mental illness. Ben is knowingly tanking his value, yet it's Morey's job to just be like, yeah it's okay, you can make this all about you, and we'll trade you for pennies? Like you said as long as Jo is fine with this pass they'll stick to it. I don't see it going past the deadline.

I get it. I just disagree that this tactic is in any way constructive. It's coming across as Morey taking it personally and like it's getting to him, as in he feels the need to engage in the back and forth in the media.

If this is to last until the trade deadline, then Morey ought to have just been a pro publicly and worked behind the scenes. Either way, Ben is not returning to play for the 76ers. But the words from other FOs is that it's Morey who's not negotiating in good faith. As I explained, if Ben isn't the franchise player, how can he reasonably expect a franchise player back? There have been ten or so teams in play for Ben up until recently. That's a third of the league! Even if more players become available by December, is there any indication that a franchise player will be available? It won't be Dame or Beal this season. It's just waiting for a hypothetical. And in that it still circles back to sticking it to anyone and everyone who isn't acquiescing to his demands. It's that two guys, Ben and Morey, dressed as Spiderman pointing at each other meme. Morey's stooping rather than rising above it and it shows.

I think it is somewhat smart of Morey. It's basically telling other teams that he isn't going to take role players and to up the trade if they want Ben. Ben is already cheapening himself. If Morey was to give in and sell for role players, he'd lose out to Ben's antics. Pretty soon some team will be wanting a Ben Simmons on their team and will be willing to cop out for it, but Morey is sticking to his guns that he knows what Ben is worth.

But 'role players' are by Morey's definition. I don't think CJ, for instance, is a role player. CJ and three first round picks is a solid help now/help in the future offer, so what does Morey do? Doubles the pick control - six picks. Like why would any team do that? It's just not negotiating in good faith. It's trying to strangle the team that is acquiring Simmons. We've heard word that other FOs think Morey's demands are outrageous for a non-#1 franchise player. He essentially wants back more than what he has in Ben. Just because the Rockets owner didn't want to deal Harden to Morey for whatever personal reasons, doesn't mean Morey will get a #1 guy back again. Rockets took the offer they took and it just looks like Morey is hell bent on winning that type of deal and is using the Ben situation to kill two birds with one stone.

[bebopdeluxe]

Morey is playing with a big fire. Simmons is represented by Rich Paul. The most powerful agent in the league now. Not a guy you wanna get on the bad side with

This is good for the league, long term though. Hopefully this drags out the entire year. And BS doesn't get a dime in pay.

100% true. The salary cap is slated to go up by 25-30% in the next TV contract. We are talking about $175+ million dollars for each team. If you think that Ben SImmons - with FOUR years left on his contract - is gonna force the Sixers to trade him for a pu-pu-platter, and there will be ZERO hell to pay when the owners lock these guys out during the next negotiation, then I don't know what to tell you.

Here are the three things that I can tell you:

1) The over whelming majority of the Sixers fan base would be fine if Ben sits for the NEXT FOUR YEARS;

2) Josh Harris is a BILLIONAIRE. And he didn't get to be the head of one of the biggest private equity organizations in the workd by being pantsied by the likes of Rich Paul. I assure you that everything that Daryl Morey said today had Harris' blessing; and

3) For Joel Embiid, this is PERSONAL. He has basically tolerated Ben Simmons spending four summers posting IG's from LA and doing SQUAT to improve his shooting...watching other coaches not hold Simmons accountable...and while Embiid takes the criticism from both the coaches and the Shaqs/Barkleys of the world and commits himself to get in MVP shape, he watches Simmons try this power move and says, "no more, my man." Embiid is in for the duration. BET ON IT.

[Tacoma]

We ain't trading an all-star, all-defensive player with 4 years of team control for someone else's bench crumbs and a 2nd rounder.

The owner is a billionaire; looks like they're ready to eat his whole contract and let Simmons wither in Philly, and I'm here for it. What a *** snake this guy turned out to be. Good luck to any team that gets him (eventually).

As far as people saying "wasted a year of Embiid" - bet you Sixers will be even better this year than last year. Addition by subtraction of Ben.

Absolutely delusional, and I think Ben sucks.

I guess it remains to be seen. Ben's absence lowers the team's defence, but it increases team spacing and shooting which is crucial with Embiid. Tobias Harris now slides at the PF spot while allowing Maxey to start at PG. Shooters like Korkmaz, Niang, etc. get more minutes.

It's good to be rid of a non-shooting point guard whose main skill on the offensive end is to stand beside Embiid at the dunker's spot. And even then, he misses some wide open ones...

How can you expect a return of an all star +picks/swaps for Simmons whom you say is "addition by subtraction" because he hinders team spacing that's critical to the team? In making these contradictory statements, what you've effectively done is describe why a team is unwilling to trade their all star (plus picks, whatever) for Simmons.

Besides being a spacing killer, Simmons has also proven he can be a very effective in disrupting team culture and he could definitely pull this crap again on the team that trades for him if he perceives he's been wronged again by a teammate or coach. Addition by subtraction indeed.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

Yikes.

Read on Twitter

Yikes is right. This is the absolute worst thing Morey can do and I'm shocked he's actually going this route. Even if he feels it to his marrow, essentially saying we'd rather hold onto you and not get anything for the next four years -- basically a layer of vengeance slipping through -- than get role players from other teams -- basically not negotiating in good faith as I think, for example, CJ and three picks is hardly a paltry offer, and it would certainly help 76ers right now -- he's not that much different than Ben; he wants what he wants and that's it.

It's an absolute professional misstep to voice this publicly as he's now creating a viable option to point to as adversarial -- 'See? They don't want to trade me in good faith.'

Morey can't expect to get #1 franchise guy offers when by all actions Embiid is established as that on the 76ers. And Dame is that on the Blazers. And Beal is that on the Wizards. So why would teams trade their franchise guys for Simmons who is not even that on the 76ers?

So not only is Morey now coming across as trying to screw it to Ben, but also to the teams he's apparently negotiating with while insulting their offers. He's in dick waving mode trying to 'win' everything with everybody.

And it'll only last so long as Embiid isn't tired of it. So who is Morey kidding with the 'lasting four years' malarkey? Hard to see how this is in the best interests of the franchise.

This post so perfectly nails down why Morey just always comes off as the biggest pompous ass of a GM in the league. He wants a player better than Simmons in return and is basically calling guys like McCollum (who's likewise the Blazers #2 guy as Simmons is on the 76ers) a role player. By that logic Daryl, so is Ben. And because he has the leagues backing against the player here, he's beating his chest in the media and giving a middle finger to Simmons, Klutch and the rest of the teams he's been discussing deals with...

Really bangup interpersonal relationship building there Morey... A-hole.