Ben Simmons has pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics, the under siege Australian basketball star to instead spend his NBA off-season working on his skills.
In a move many saw coming after the 24-year-old’s inconsistent performances during Philadelphia’s early NBA playoffs exit, Simmons indicated that while he remained committed to representing the Boomers now was not the time.
“It is a pretty rough time for him right now and I know it is something that he wanted to do, but the timing just hasn’t worked,” Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said.
“The best thing for everybody right now is for him to go on and develop that skill package and improve in a couple of areas for his next season in the NBA, but the Boomers are always here for him.
“We wanted him to know that in his time of need, the culture and the guys here are behind him and support him.”
Simmons copped much of blame for the 76ers’ loss to Atlanta in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Australian’s struggles at the free-throw line impacting his confidence to the point where he began passing up wide open shots.
There has been much speculation the former No.1 draft pick will be traded this off-season, with 76ers coach Doc Rivers admitting after the game seven loss to the Hawks that he was not sure if his team could win a championship with Simmons running the team – although he has since said he is “bullish in Ben still”.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I'm with you Scott. 1. We had been looking forward to Ben playing for Australia and frankly, this shows he is not really committed. 2. How could his skills coach not work a program with him? It's not like Ingles and Mills are por shooters or coaches - they are 2 of the best shooters in the NBA. 3. A good performance and it lifts his spirits. I go back to 1 - he's just not committed.
Scott
Guest
I’m absolutely shattered by this. Can you not work on your skills at the olympics????? A change of environment would’ve been the best thing for his skills. How about the skills he can learn from fellow Aussie sharpshooters. This is a terrible decision by him morally, but it’s also a bad decision logically. How much good could it have done his confidence let alone his reputation, by being the main man on a team that could have gone to the gold medal game. It’s a shocker all around
Brian
Guest
Given the $$$ in the NBA its astonishing what Philly have said about Simmons. Talk about selling a blue chip stock at its all time low
Damo
Guest
To work on his game hey? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/15413535/maya-jama-pictured-rumours-date-night-ben-simmons/amp/
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
If he shot better and somehow they didnt make the next playoff another excuse would have been forthcoming. My point would be if they allowed Simmons to go and he shot better at the Olympics then they could trade him.