(credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant)
The difficulties continue in this particular time. If Kyrie Irving monopolizes the news, Ben Simmons has also embarrassed his team. The latest revelations are not very complimentary for the Sixers’ point forward …
After an end of the 2019-2020 season different from anything we had known, we hoped to return to normal for this 2020-2021 campaign. Missed. COVID-19 continues to take its toll, and the NBA must face situations as unprecedented as they are perilous. Kyrie Irving, for example, could soon be sanctioned after the damning videos that came out.
Another star who failed in his obligations? Ben Simmons. And in his defense, it’s a hell of a mess on the side of the Sixers, forced to play with 7 players in a game almost lost in advance against the Nuggets on Saturday, two days after being all held up in New York while waiting for the evolution of the situation. Well, all … or almost.
Vincent Goodwill from Yahoo Sports tells us that Ben Simmons distorted company with its franchise, which is not without consequence. A decision taken on a whim, told by the journalist:
After Seth Curry was pulled out of the game against the Nets at half-time because of a positive test (Thursday, note), the Sixers decided they were going to stay in New York until the situation was over. resolved.
Except that Ben Simmons left New York that night. He left, and returned to Philadelphia. NBA protocols are clear: If a team is in a city, they cannot move from their hotel and must stay there. But Ben Simmons said, “Nah, I’m busting,” called a driver, and drove back to Philly.
Security around NBA teams is squared, they knew where he had gone. They found out, so Simmons had to come back, and magically “hurt” the next night.
Indeed, Simmons was indeed the subscribers absent from the game against the Nuggets on Saturday, although his franchise did not indicate it on the injured list. It is for this reason that a fine of $ 25,000 was sent to the Sixers. Did they prefer to sacrifice the fine to cover the rest of the situation and thus avoid worse? It is quite probable. In any case, without this adventure of the Australian, he would have been able to play and help his people to obtain a precious victory… if indeed he wanted to play well.
The ubiquitous situations continue as the NBA somehow navigates amid COVID-19. One thing is certain, and everyone will agree: strongly that we come out …
