"F*** this dude" - Ben Simmons' ex-teammate rips him to shreds for bailing out on 76ers teammates
Ben Simmons' time with the Philadelphia 76ers came to a tumultuous end marked by a series of events that highlighted both his mental health struggles and his deteriorating relationship with the team. Former 76ers player Georges Niang, now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, expressed his frustration over Simmons' behavior and the impact it had on the team.
Niang, who joined the 76ers from the Utah Jazz with the expectation of complementing Ben Simmons as a spot-up shooter, shared his discontent on the “Road Trippin” podcast hosted by Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Allie Clifton.
He recounted his disappointment with Simmons' lack of engagement when welcomed back by teammates at the practice facility:
“(Ben Simmons) was walking around the facility. You’d be like, ‘What’s up, man?’ because [we] were trying to welcome him back, and he’d [nod]. That’s when I was like, ‘F**k this dude. If I get an opportunity to play against him, I’m just going to be an a**hole.’”
Niang also described the confusion and frustration within the team, as Simmons sat out while other players like Tyrese Maxey were still developing and Shake Milton was establishing himself:
“The Ben Simmons thing, it pissed me off because…I signed a two-year deal, and then he was like, ‘I'm not playing.’ And I'm like, ‘What the f**k?’”
“This was before Tyrese Maxey…Tyrese Maxey just came off a rookie year where he got spot minutes, and Shake Milton was, you know, still…fighting for his spot. I was thinking, ‘How the f**k am I going to make something happen?’”
How Ben Simmons’ tenure with the 76ers ended
After a disappointing playoff exit in 2021, where Ben Simmons faced severe criticism for his performance, including passing up an open dunk in a crucial game, he requested a trade.
In August 2021, Simmons informed the team he would not report to training camp and formally requested a trade, citing issues with his fit alongside star teammate Joel Embiid.
His absence led to the team withholding large portions of his salary, making him the most fined player in NBA history, with penalties exceeding $10 million by late 2021.
When Simmons returned in October 2021, he was suspended for one game after being dismissed from practice for failing to participate. Although he cited mental health issues, leading to a temporary halt in fines, they resumed as he continued to miss games and practices.
In February 2022, Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal involving Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two picks, in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap.
Since leaving the 76ers, Simmons has struggled to regain the high status he once held, including being a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Defensive player and NBA Rookie of the Year during his early career with Philadelphia.