‘It’s over’: Philly is done with Simmons

Simmons’ has been the talk of the NBA despite the season starting off as he attempts to force the 76ers to trade him.

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The 25-year-old three-time All-Star has no interest in staying in Philadelphia, as evidenced by his sale of his 3000 square foot, $A4.3 million Ritz-Carlton apartment and his $A6.7 million New Jersey mansion.

His actions on the court have been just as consistent — kicked out of training for refusing to do a drill, acted disinterested and even skipped a planned individual workout on Thursday due to tightness in his back. ESPN reported he had been cleared of injury by the team doctors.

And despite all of this, the 76ers are still not willing to budge on a move, Philadelphia’s president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told 97.5 The Fanatic that “this could be four years”.

Simmons is in his second year of a five-year $US168 million ($A225 million) contract.

But later, Morey added: “We would want him to play and be back starting tomorrow. But if he chooses to take some other path, that’s his choice.”

It’s something both Morey and 76ers coach Doc Rivers have been floating recently, suggesting Philadelphia can still be Simmons’ home.

But after days and weeks of Simmons bashing as he tries to move on, 11-time All-Star and former 76ers star Charles Barkley said that anyone who believes Simmons would be welcomed back is kidding themselves.

“There’s only two bonds in pro sports: the locker room and the fans,” Barkley said on TNT’s NBA coverage. “He’s burned both of those bridges.

“I actually blame Ben Simmons a little bit because being in Philly since 1984, I think they would’ve given him a second chance.

“If he had come to training camp and busted his heart, even last year when he was scared to shoot and wasn’t making free throws, they were giving him some love and trying to encourage him.

“When he showed up at training camp and didn’t play and didn’t talk to his teammates, it’s over now.”

And while Morey said he could wait four years to resolve the issue, Barkley said it would be ridiculous to waste the prime years of superstar Joel Embiid.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to divorce a man and get this thing over with,” he said.

“The problem I have with it, I think they should make the trade because if you don’t make the trade you’re wasting the season. Ben’s not going to play in Philly.

“Joel Embiid is the best big man in the game, do you waste his whole year? First of all, I know Philly, Daryl Morey won’t last four years. They’re not going to sit on Ben, you can’t get away with it. You could do that in some other team, but Philadelphia is built to win right now.

“Joel Embiid is in his prime, he’s an MVP candidate, Daryl Morey’s got to sick his pride up and say, ‘You know what? I’ve got to make the best deal’, plain and simple.”

‘Play better’: Philly is done with Simmons

Even though Simmons was suspended for the season opening game against the New Orleans Saints — Philadelphia won 117-97 — the 25-year-old Aussie was taunted mercilessly by the New Orleans crowd.

In Philadelphia it’s worse.

In the NHL match between the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins, fans were chanting “f*** Ben Simmons”.

Even Philadelphia Eagles NFL centre Jason Kelce was asked about why Simmons is so hated.

“I don’t want to crush any other players, but what’s going on with the 76ers and Ben Simmons and stuff like that, all that is because of a lack of accountability, a lack of owning up to mistakes, and a lack of correcting things,” Kelce said.

“If all that got corrected, if you’re fixing free throws and getting better as a player, none of this is happening.

“Everybody can b**** and complain about how tough this city is to play in. Just play better, man. The city will love you.”

Back in Australia, Simmons has had some support, as friend and AFL premier and Norm Smith Medallist Christian Petracca saying he was always behind Simmons.

“Ben wished me all the best and good luck (before the Grand Final),’’ he said. “Whether he stays or goes (from the Philadelphia 76ers) I’ll support him either way.”

Speaking to SEN radio, Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze said the whole situation was hurting both Simmons and the Sixers the longer it dragged on.

“Mostly, I’d say over the last month or so, the narrative around Ben has not been great,” he said.

“I think for him, perhaps he might have to swallow his pride a little bit and go back and just get to a workable situation with your teammates.

“Just get to a point where you can get back on the floor, continue to show the league what you’re capable of, and demonstrating that you can be a good teammate.”

While Simmons is currently seemingly hurting his trade chances by lowering his stock, many believe that only a return to the court and strong performances will see the trade happen.