Ben Simmons formally demands trade

[flyerhawk]

As for his reception, I think most of the players will welcome him back. But the fans never will. He will be booed loudly, and will not be able to go out in Philly. He is the most hated man in the city at this point, and may even be the most hated athlete ever in the city, which is really saying something for Philly.

Fans are incredibly fickle. They will certainly be hostile to him for a while but if he plays hard and reasonably well they will move on even if they will never truly support him again.

He's definitely getting traded still. Just a matter of when.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Ben will drop you in a fight though

I have a good lawyer and I can take a punch. Let’s go Mr Softee (Simmons) bring that shit on!

 

[Iggloo]

Ben is way more hated than Mitch Williams. Mitch Williams was not a very good closer, but he wasn't a coward. Williams actually became pretty popular later on in the city, working in media and everything.

Williams, Former Goat for Phillies, Is Now Fan Favorite (Published 2008)

At 43, Mitch Williams has made a comeback off the field in Philadelphia, where he was the target of death threats from home fans during the 1993 World Series.

www.nytimes.com

A better comparison would be J.D. Drew. That's the only guy I can think of who was this hated. Even Wentz had his share of supporters.

 

[bksballer89]

I have a good lawyer and I can take a punch. Let’s go Mr Softee (Simmons) bring that shit on!

Simmons will have you looking like Nate Robinson did

 

[Iggloo]

Ben will drop you in a fight though

But he'd run like a bitch in a FT shooting contest

 

[trojanfan12]

That's truly amazing if Klutch didn't understand their client was going to potentially lose millions of dollars holding out.

That's why I'm not convinced this is all Klutch. An agent allowing his client to lose money like that could destroy them in the business.

I think Ben took the Sixers reactions after that game personally and truly didn't want to be back in Philly under any circumstances. When shit gets personal and ego's get involved...guys get real dumb.

Klutch may have had to basically let him actually start losing money for him come to his senses. It's also possible that all 3 (Sixers, Ben, Klutch) thought a deal would be done by now and it wouldn't get to this point.

 

[Iggloo]

 

[Iggloo]

That's why I'm not convinced this is all Klutch. An agent allowing his client to lose money like that could destroy them in the business.

I think Ben took the Sixers reactions after that game personally and truly didn't want to be back in Philly under any circumstances. When shit gets personal and ego's get involved...guys get real dumb.

Klutch may have had to basically let him actually start losing money for him come to his senses. It's also possible that all 3 (Sixers, Ben, Klutch) thought a deal would be done by now and it wouldn't get to this point.

You make some good points. I find it hard to believe they didn't know he couldn't ever get this money back.

Whatever the case, it seems Ben and his representation realized he needed to rehabilitate his reputation, and that could only happen by him playing.

 

[trojanfan12]

You make some good points. I find it hard to believe they didn't know he couldn't ever get this money back.

Whatever the case, it seems Ben and his representation realized he needed to rehabilitate his reputation, and that could only happen by him playing.

Yeah, and for all anyone knows, Klutch may very well be driving it...but if they didn't know everything that could happen and let him start losing money because they didn't thoroughly research it, that would be a pretty unforgivable fuck up.

But, high level agents all have egos too...so they can get dumb too. lol

 

[bksballer89]

HE IS HERE!!!

 

[thunderc]

HE IS HERE!!!

Funny shit

 

[flyerhawk]

That's why I'm not convinced this is all Klutch. An agent allowing his client to lose money like that could destroy them in the business.

I think Ben took the Sixers reactions after that game personally and truly didn't want to be back in Philly under any circumstances. When shit gets personal and ego's get involved...guys get real dumb.

Klutch may have had to basically let him actually start losing money for him come to his senses. It's also possible that all 3 (Sixers, Ben, Klutch) thought a deal would be done by now and it wouldn't get to this point.

Yeah I think that this was primarily initiated by Simmons. But I think that Klutch chose to placate Simmons and didn't make it clear to him that he wasn't going to get paid if he didn't show. Either because they didn't think the Sixers would carry through with it(which would have been naive) or they weren't willing to tell Simmons the truth or they didn't know the truth.

My bet is that they thought that the Sixers would fold. They thought the fan base would demand that the Sixers trade the "cancer" regardless of the return. They didn't realize how bad a look this all was for Simmons. And my guess is the NBAPA told them in no uncertain terms that they were working without a net. The NBAPA will back any player if they working to get paid more money. But a player trying to renege on a contract he just signed with 4 years remaining on it, sets a pretty bad precedent.

Which is also why I don't think that Simmons is going to come in and pull a Harden. Maybe he could have done that if he voiced his frustrations but showed up. But if he does it not he is going to be absolutely crucified by the media.

 

[flyerhawk]

Hearing the rationalizations coming out of Simmons camp are going to be hilarious.

 

[shopson67]

Isn't he just showing up so that he doesn't lose more game checks? Doesn't mean he's going to play or be content staying a Sixer.

 

[thunderc]

So basically he is a pussy on AND off the court.

 

[thunderc]

Isn't he just showing up so that he doesn't lose more game checks? Doesn't mean he's going to play or be content staying a Sixer.

Exactly, but when you talk as tough as he did you don’t even show up.

 

[trojanfan12]

There was a guy on Dan Patrick this morning Mark Hayes, I believe, and he just ripped Simmons.

Among other things he said that Ben Simmons showed us who he was at LSU when he showed up, gave half an effort and didn't go to class because he knew he was going to be a top pick. He just wanted to get that season over so he could move on to NBA money.

He also said that he just wants to make as much money as he can as fast as he can and he doesn't care where it is. It's not about winning for him, it's about getting his money and being famous.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Ben will drop you in a fight though

Simmons is some tough guy all the sudden? LOL.

 

[DJ Fieri]

HE IS HERE!!!

You're a 76ers fan now?

 

[Iggloo]

Wondering how the Ben Simmons return is playing on Philly talk radio?