Ben Simmons Philadelphia 76ers split: Chris Anstey warns Aussie to lift his game

The difference between the selfish posturing of Bernard Tomic and Ben Simmons is the number of people being hurt says Chris Anstey.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 20: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers bumps into fans during the fourth quarter during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center on June 20, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Ben Simmons comparisons to Aussie super brat Bernard Tomic are justified according to Boomers legend Chris Anstey, who says Simmons will live to regret his actions after he was thrown out of Philadelphia training and suspended amid his ugly trade standoff.

Simmons was sent home from a session on Wednesday and will miss the 76ers’ season-opener against New Orleans on Thursday because of “conduct detrimental to the team”, the Sixers said in a statement.

Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers tossed the Melbourne-born guard out when he refused to participate in a defensive drill.

Ben Simmons is making nothing but enemies at the Philadelphia 76ers. Picture: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP

ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski said via Twitter, “Simmons’ reluctance to physically and mentally engage with the Sixers since his return has been a consistent theme.”

Wojnarowski reports Simmons has already racked up more than $1.87 million worth of fines since pre-season kicked off because of his refusal to play games, join meetings or take part in practices.

Anstey is a big fan of Simmons and wants him to succeed, but believes his current actions are a bad look.

“The comparisons with (Nick) Kyrgios and Tomic that I’ve heard, I guess they are fair,” Anstey said.

MY reaction to Ben Simmons! pic.twitter.com/6UMbtpyoEW

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 19, 2021

“But Kyrgios and Tomic aren’t letting anyone else down other than themselves.

“Ben is part of a team and an important part of one and his actions hurt.

“There are so many things that you have to do in life where you have to suck it up and say I’ll be my best at a time when I don’t want to be.

“It is in Ben’s best interests to be at his best right now to increase his trade value.

“He just needs some better advice, whether it be from management or those close to him.

“And certainly, the advice should be to be the bigger person, plus he is only hurting himself because he hasn’t trained properly for months, and the financial stuff is a big hit.

“The 76ers aren’t going to pay him until he performs up to the standard that is expected.”

(L-R) Aussie tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic have both attracted criticism for their behaviour in the past. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Rivers said he was left with no choice but to send Simmons home from training when he refused to partake in a defensive drill.

“I thought he was a distraction today,” Rivers said.

“I didn’t think he wanted to do what everyone else was doing.

“It was early, and it wasn’t a big deal, I just told him he should leave then, and we went on with practice.

“My job as a coach is to keep trying to get guys to buy in … that’s my job. I’m not going to stop my job.

“We told him to go home. Hopefully at some point (he’ll show a better attitude).

“Today, I just thought it was more important to focus on the team.”

🏀| Joel Embiid has taken a public swipe at Ben Simmons 😬

(🎥:@NBCSPhilly) pic.twitter.com/a0Yi31yNUu

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) October 19, 2021

76ers teammate Joel Embiid didn’t hold back when asked about Simmons’ refusal to train as he holds out for a trade.

“At the end of the day, our job is not to babysit somebody,” Embiid told reporters. “We get paid to produce on the court, go out, play hard, win some games. That’s what we get paid for.

“We don’t get paid to come out here and try to babysit somebody. That’s not our job. I’m sure my teammates feel that way.

“At this point, I don’t care about that man, honestly. He does whatever he wants.

“I’m only focused on trying to make the team better, win some games, play hard every night and try to lead the guys we have here and I’m sure they feel the same way.

“Like I said, I’m not going to babysit. I’d be willing to babysit if someone wants to listen but that’s not my job.”

The dramatic development in Simmons’ stand-off with the 76ers came after he was seen at practise on Tuesday taking part in drills with his phone in his pocket.

There was also a moment at the end of that session where he didn’t participate in an all-team huddle, instead heading to the locker room on his own.

Upset at the criticism he copped for his offensive woes during last season’s playoffs defeat to Atlanta, Simmons made it clear he wants out of Philadelphia despite still having four years and $AUD200 million remaining on his contract.

However, the 76ers weren’t going to let him leave without securing a genuine star as compensation. So far, the team hasn’t been offered an attractive enough trade package in return for Simmons and is keeping him on the books.

Originally published as Ben Simmons Philadelphia 76ers split: Chris Anstey warns Aussie to lift his game