The relationship between Philadelphia and Ben Simmons continues to heat up.
The team announced this (Tuesday) afternoon that the player has been suspended from one game due to "harmful" behavior to the team, which will cause him to miss the season opener in New Orleans against the Pelicans.
The statement came after the team's training session today, after sources told ESPN reporter - Adrian Wojnerowski that Simmons was thrown out of training by his coach, Doc Rivers, after refusing to participate in a defensive exercise twice.
Simmons returned to activity with the team only last Monday after missing the first two weeks as he hoped his fulfillment would move to another team in the trade but the team refused.
He was photographed in training with long pants and a cell phone in his pocket, which angered the team's fans and today, as mentioned, another incident occurred that could end his career at the club.
Simmons was tossed early in practice, essentially for a refusal to participate in the next stage of the session, sources tell ESPN.
https://t.co/wq2hN07lny
- Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2021
After training, Rivers and team star Joel Ambide were interviewed by the media when the latter said, "Our job is not to be anyone's babysitter," in what shows Simmons' dilapidated condition in the locker room as well.
Sources: Doc Rivers asked Ben Simmons to join a defensive drill today.
Simmons refused.
Rivers asked again.
Simmons said no again.
Rivers then told Simmons he should go home, and Simmons dropped the ball and left.
- Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2021
"Our job is not to babysit somebody."
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- Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) October 19, 2021