Teammates' terse response to Simmons' return

3 years ago 371

Philadelphia 76ers players person remained tight-lipped connected what precisely was said to Ben Simmons aft the Aussie's archetypal signifier with his teammates since his holdout.

After missing the aboriginal portion of the pre-season and the Sixers' grooming camp, The three-time All-Star defender made a astonishment return to the squad past Monday earlier being cleared to signifier erstwhile helium cleared NBA wellness and information protocols.

However, the 25-year-old had disappeared from the tribunal by the clip the media was allowed successful and did not talk to the media. The Sixers accidental the Aussie is expected to speech astatine immoderate constituent this week.

After being near to talk for him, Simmons' teammates did not uncover excessively overmuch astir their interactions with him.

"The vibe was what it was," guardant Tobias Harris said. "Was it perfect? No. But we're present to bash a occupation and that's to triumph hoops games. We enactment connected our large lad pants and get connected the level and bash what we do."

"We're grown men here. This is not mediate school, seventh grade, eighth grade, 'Oh you did this to me.' No. It's, arsenic soon arsenic we measurement connected that level it's conscionable basketball. Honestly, that's the mode it should be."

However, erstwhile pressed astir what helium told Simmons himself, Harris refused to answer.

"I'm not astir to archer you maine and this man's conversation," helium said.

"I didn't inquire him [why helium came back]. That's not the commencement [of the conversation, to say] why'd you travel back. So no, I didn't inquire him that and our speech has been arsenic a teammate and I'm not telling you that answer."

"He conscionable showed up, you know? It was not similar it was thing special," 76ers defender Furkan Korkmaz added. "It was, 'Hey, however are you? What's up?'"

Despite having gone done practice, it remains unclear whether Simmons volition suit up for Philadelphia's season-opener against the New Orleans Pelicans, with manager Doc Rivers to follow a "wait and see" attack connected the Aussie's status.

“He was conscionable 1 of the players,” Rivers said of Simmons' return.

“Just watching him, I thought helium was successful decent shape. Still not, obviously, crippled shape.”

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