Sixers president Daryl Morey approached Ben Simmons regarding his return to the floor, but Simmons notified him that he’s still not mentally prepared to return and is continuing to seek professional help, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. There is also no timetable for his return.
Charania adds that team officials have been supportive of Simmons throughout the process and have wanted to receive feedback from him, but they haven’t requested any specifics from his conversations with professionals.
Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN previously reported on Tuesday that Sixers’ officials have grown to be increasingly frustrated with his refusal to accept organizational assistance, but Charania’s report on Wednesday seems to suggest that people within the organization genuinely care about Simmons and what he’s going through.
More Sixers Rumors
- Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers came into Philadelphia on Monday and took a loss, but in the pregame introductions, everybody on the Trail Blazers’ roster was booed, except for Lillard, which he found funny. “I know what it is and I know what it’s about,” Lillard said. “But I’m a Trail Blazer. I appreciate the love. I appreciate the respect that they showed and the desire or whatever but I’m 10 toes in Rip City, and I’ve said that time and time again and tonight I laughed about it during starting lineups but that was that.” Lillard also acknowledged that he heard the “We want Lillard!” chants.
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Tobias Harris, who is reportedly vaccinated, recently entered the health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19, as head coach Doc Rivers provided a little insight into what he’s currently going through. “He’s doing OK but not great, honestly,” Rivers said. “It’s the most I’m going to say about it. It hit him, for sure. A lot of guys have had this and they are mad, like, ‘What the hell? I’m fine.’ Tobias is not in that category right now, I can tell you that.”
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Tyrese Maxey has a fan in Chauncey Billups, as the five-time All-Star provided the 21-year-old point guard with some advice. “He’s a high-energy guy,” Billups said. “I think he’s really skilled. He competes really hard. I’m a fan. I like his game. I just think he needs to take advantage of the position and not worry about all the outside noise.”
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ICYMI: The Sixers pulled out a huge home victory over the Bulls on Wednesday night. Our own Rob Parks provided a detailed recap on what went right for the Sixers.
