The basketball world was left in shock when Ben Simmons abruptly left the Philadelphia 76ers, but a former teammate has revealed the shocking truth behind the controversial exit. 'Get the fk out': Ex-teammate lifts lid on infamous training blow-up that sealed ugly Ben exit**
One of Ben Simmons' former Philadelphia 76ers teammates has opened up on the Australian basketballer's unceremonious exit, revealing that comments made by coach Doc Rivers proved the catalyst for his departure. Simmons, drafted by Philadelphia with the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, was named Rookie of the Year and earned three All-Star selections before a brutal post-season run in 2021, where he came under heavy scrutiny.
During a press conference in June 2021, Rivers declared that he "didn't know" whether Simmons was a championship-level point guard, a remark that didn't sit well with the Australian. Soon after multiple reports suggested the 76ers were planning to move on from Simmons, which proved the straw that broke the camel's back. He aggressively pushed for a move out of Philadelphia, eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets for superstar James Harden in September 2022.
Former teammate Danny Green explained on the No Fouls Given podcast that Simmons' departure was not just about the comments made by Doc Rivers. "It was after the playoffs, when Doc had that statement, I don't think he took kind to it," Green said. "They asked Doc if (Simmons) was a championship point guard right now, and he said 'I don't know', which is fair to say, we hadn't won a championship."
Green also claimed that Simmons intentionally got himself kicked out of practice by training with a phone in his pocket. "It took some time, he came back for a couple practices, got thrown out of practice purposefully," Green said. "He had sweats on, phone in the pocket, did a couple drills. Doc was like, 'Yo, come on in bruh', he was like, 'Nah I'm good', 'Alright get the f**k out then, go home'."
But here's where it gets controversial... Green's account raises questions about Simmons' professionalism and commitment to the team. It's a stark reminder that behind every headline, there's a story that's often more complex than it seems. And this is the part most people miss... Simmons' abrupt departure from the 76ers was not just a result of a single comment, but a culmination of factors, including his own actions and the team's evolving dynamics. So, what do you think? Do you agree with Green's account? Or do you think there's more to the story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
