Ben Simmons has given his first interview since the 2020 playoffs. The Nets Guard spoke about the turbulent last year in Philadelphia and how it went from his point of view.
“It was a dark time for me,” Simmons said on the JJ Redick podcast, The Old Man and the Threein his first interview in over two years, “I wanted to come back and I got all these things thrown at me, which wasn’t very helpful. It was what I needed: help.”
Simmons addressed these words to his coaches, but also to various teammates, while at the same time emphasizing that he received support from some colleagues during this time. After the 2020 playoffs, when Simmons he believes was made a scapegoat, the Aussie didn’t make a game for the Sixers and came back after a pre-season strike for just two practice sessions, one of which he was kicked out by coach Doc Rivers thrown.
“I wanted to do the right thing,” Simmons said of his then-surprising performance. “I spoke to Doc [Rivers, Coach der Sixers; Anm. d. Red.] before practice and told him that I wasn’t ready, first of all mentally.” According to Simmons, Rivers insisted that Simmons play and later threw the player out because Simmons wasn’t training according to the coach’s expectations.
“I figured that’s not something you do. It was purely on purpose and that’s what it felt like. It felt like he was embarrassing me. I was being punished for not lifting weights. I was there I’m one of the strongest players on the team. I was constantly being punished for small things. I’ve certainly made mistakes during that time, but the same goes for the team and the people who have say in the franchise.”
Ben Simmons is looking forward to season with Brooklyn Nets
Simmons later stated that he had mental problems, but he would not accept the help of the doctors in Philadelphia. Instead, the Sixers punished the Australian by stopping paying him. The case went to court and Simmons received at least a portion of the $20 million he was deprived of during that time by compromise.
According to his own statement, money is not the top priority anyway. “I don’t care. I want my peace and joy in life. I want to be at peace with myself and if it costs me money, then so be it. My inner peace is more important to me than money.”
The upcoming season is a fresh start for Simmons. The Sixers traded the former top pick to Brooklyn in February, but Simmons has yet to play for the Nets due to a back injury. They’ve had a turbulent offseason with all the drama surrounding Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but Simmons is looking forward to the new challenge.
“It’s going to be really cool, I can’t wait. I have a new number, a new jersey (…) If everything fits together, then we’ll win the championship. That has to be the goal.”
