Two years ago, Ben Simmons departed from a tumultuous setting in the Philadelphia 76ers’ locker room when he was sent to Brooklyn in a trade. His teammates were divided after he chose not to participate in the game against the Atlanta Hawks due to a back injury. Former teammate Georges Niang recently spoke out about the negative impact Simmons had on team morale and camaraderie with his actions.
Niang’s candid revelations
Appearing on The Road Trippin’ Show, Niang was asked about any teammate who had particularly frustrated him. Initially hesitant, he candidly responded, “In Philly, it was the Ben Simmons thing. That pissed me off.”
In 2021, Niang agreed to a $6.7 million deal with the Sixers for two years after performing well in Utah. He had an optimistic perspective on working with Simmons and Joel Embiid, believing it would improve his career development. Nonetheless, his hopes were shattered when Simmons opted out of playing. “Later he said ‘I refuse to participate’ and I thought ‘What on Earth?’”
Niang recalled.
Attempts to mend the rift
Despite their frustration, Niang and his teammates, following organizational advice, attempted to reconcile with Simmons. They greeted him warmly around the facility, only to receive disinterested nods in return. “That’s when I was like ‘F**k that dude,’” Niang remarked. “If I have the chance to compete against this guy, I will simply act like a jerk.”
Simmons spent the whole season in Philadelphia without playing before being traded to the Nets, causing his teammates to feel deserted.
The pivotal moment: the seventh game against the hawks
The connection between Simmons and the Sixers wasn’t constantly filled with tension. At the start, he was considered a key player for the team, showing promise in his first year and earning the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) accolade. He had three back-to-back All-Star selections, but everything took a turn during Game 7 in the second round against the Atlanta Hawks.
During the final moments of the game, Simmons chose not to take a clear shot, causing the Sixers to be eliminated from the championship competition. This moment marked the beginning of his downfall in Philadelphia. Fans were outraged, and Simmons faced relentless criticism, which severely affected his confidence and performance.
Impact on team dynamics
Simmons’ decision to sit out the following season and his eventual trade to Brooklyn left a lasting impact on the Sixers. His teammates, particularly Embiid, felt the strain. “I think that’s the one that got away,” Embiid commented, reflecting on the missed opportunities and what could have been.
Despite the tumultuous end, Embiid holds no grudge against Simmons. “I’ve always been one of those people that didn’t believe he actually needed a jumper,” Embiid said. “He was so good, he’s just a monster… I just hate the fact that the way things happened.”
.@GeorgesNiang20 talks about his issues with Ben Simmons’s holdout while they were teammates in Philly.
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— Road Trippin’ Show🎧 (@RoadTrippinPod) July 30, 2024
The aftermath and what could have been
The fallout from Simmons’ departure continues to haunt the Sixers and their fans. The incident has left many wondering about the potential that was never realized. Simmons’ career, marked by early promise and subsequent decline, remains a poignant example of how internal conflicts and pivotal moments can alter the trajectory of a team and a player’s career.