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Tim BontempsESPN
PHILADELPHIA — Ben SimmonsThe following is the current version Philadelphia 76ersPast Thursday’s NBA trade deadline Joel EmbiidHe said that he will be welcome back to the team.
However, Simmons and the Sixers will be able to answer the question of what this means for Simmons and their Sixers team after Philadelphia’s loss of 114 to 109 to the league-leading Sixers Phoenix SunsTuesday’s statement by Embiid was clear. He said that Simmons will have to prove that he is willing to play in the team’s future.
“Like what I’ve been saying ever since the season began, I’m happy,” Embiid stated. Everyone is welcome to play. Everyone is welcome to play if they want. We have guys that are here to play, and they show up every night.
“Like I said… “Like I said… I don’t get paid for, you know, to babysit Tyrese. I get paid to challenge him in order to win games. Tobias and the other guys get paid the same thing and they always respond. Just like me challenging them, they also know that it is not personal. They are always there to challenge me. Because we all share the same goal, winning, I am always at their back.
“But anyone is welcome to participate. If you’re interested in being part of our group, I’m sure everyone will be fine, but you must show up. You must want to be there. You can be sure that everybody will accept who it is. To answer your question, I am just concerned about the guys here and the guys who aren’t here. If you’re here, I will challenge you to do better and challenge you to win a championship.
Philadelphia will finally have some clarity on Thursday when the NBA’s 3:00 p.m. deadline for trades expires. Either Simmons or Simmons will be traded for another team. James HardenOr he can be traded to another team or combination of picks and players.
Since Simmons’ decision to not report for training camp four months ago, the drama surrounding Simmons and his future, and whether or not they will be moved, has been a constant shadow over the city and the franchise.
Philadelphia is comfortably in the top tier of Eastern Conference teams after their last game before the deadline. They are currently in fifth place with a 32-22 record, two-and-a half games behind the East-leading East. Miami Heat.
However, the 76ers admit that they will be happy to see the deadline go.
Doc Rivers, 76ers coach, said “Absolutely” when asked if he would be happy to have the clarity that comes from the deadline passing. “Especially this season, because of the current situation.
“I know that our guys are NBA players, but they’re still human. I cannot imagine the number of names that have been mentioned. It’s hard to believe that every man tonight goes to sleep thinking this will be his last night. It really is.”
Rivers acknowledged that Philadelphia, which has been dealing with injuries and absences all season, needs to have a backup point guard. Tyrese MaxeyWhatever happens to Simmons, it will be great.
Rivers stated, “We need another guard.” Rivers said, “We do what we have to do…we need a point guard. We are looking. As you all know, they can’t grow in trees. We were able to stretch the lead in the first half.
“We may not do anything. There is nothing you can do unless there is something. This is clearly what we want. This and size.”
Rivers stated that it will be nice for the team to have two days to get away from all the distractions, before returning to court against the Sixers on Friday night. Oklahoma City ThunderThey will be happy with the final look of their team for the rest.
Rivers stated, “I think we have the greatest break because we have two days off and then we’ll play again.” Rivers said, “I can’t wait to see that from a coach perspective. It’s something I can’t wait to do.”
Same could be said about his players. Sixers forward Tobias HarrisThe team was unable to ignore the noise from Philadelphia this season, despite having been dealt four times in his NBA career.
“That will be good news for us. Because you only hear everyone’s name. He said, “I’ll be honest, it is one of those things…trade rumors always come up, even for guys around NBA. But in this situation, yeah. I was reading an article that there were five players on the top ten list to be moved. You shouldn’t be confused: it has an effect on guys’ mental, psychological, and physical focus. We’ll watch and see what happens.
Harris acknowledged that even with all this, he will still be refreshing his phone for the next two-days as he waits and sees what happens.
Harris stated, “I believe everybody else is in a similar position as well. They are checking their phones to see if anything happens.” It’s our livelihoods, our jobs.
This applies to everyone else as well. The 76ers and their fan base will wait to see if Ben Simmons Saga is over or if it continues past the deadline.
Guard: “I believe a few of us will finally feel the need to breathe.” Matisse ThybulleWith a smile. “That’s what makes NBA exciting. It’s impossible to predict what you might get.