NBA
76ers grow in frustration as Ben Simmons refuses assistance
The team has offered it's doctors to assist in the process of getting Simmons ready to play, but the want away point guard has sought his own consultation.
The Stand off between Ben simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers continues
The 76ers are losing patience with Ben Simmons
Frustration is continuing to grow for the Philadelphia 76ers, as point guard Ben Simmons' is holding firm in his refusal to accept organizational assistance to address his mental preparedness for play. According to ESPN Simmons has been working with team doctors to treat a back ailment, however, he has declined to meet with team doctors to discuss his mental state as it pertains to his readiness to take the court with his teammates again.
Simmons chose his own consultation
It is understood that Simmons has been seeing mental health professionals who were provided by the National Basketball Players Association since the summer. Moreover The player has neglected to share any of the details of those sessions with his team. Simmons has seemingly been in attendance at their practice facility in New Jersey, but has only interacted with teammates and coaching staff on a one to one basis. He is yet to participate with his team in any training session and it remains unknown as to when he will.
The Sixers remain hopeful about Simmons
While there is understandable tension, the Sixers are maintaining a position of enthusiasm and hope where helping Simmons is concerned. The team has at no point been unclear about their desire to reconcile with their star player and welcome him back into the fold. Whether or not Simmons is progressing towards that end, remains unclear. It is expected, according to sources that in the coming days Simmons will in fact share the details of his consultations with the team. Until that time the Sixers can only sit and wait.
The fallout of the Simmons - Sixers standoff
To date the Sixers have sanctioned Simmons to the tune of almost $2 million for his absence in games, training sessions and meetings. The fines stopped, however, when he stated on October 22nd, that he was not mentally prepared to play. According to the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement there is a provision allowing for the protection of a player's salary who fails to provide services "if such failure has been caused by the player's mental disability."