Photo proves troubling Ben Simmons prophecy has come true

As the Ben Simmons saga took its most dramatic turn yet, an old photo has emerged proving trouble was always on the cards for the Aussie.

Maybe it was always going to end like this.

As Ben Simmons’ messy break-up with Philadelphia took another toxic turn when he was kicked out of practice for refusing to take part in drills, not everyone was surprised.

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ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony followed Simmons’ journey from college superstar in New Orleans to No. 1 NBA draft pick and spotted warning signs years ago there may be trouble down the track for whichever team scooped him up.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Givony re-shared an article of his from 2016 and wrote: “The question marks around Ben Simmons have always been there for those who have followed him closely. Interesting to look back at the article I wrote about him 5 1/2 years ago.”

Of the college scouting report from back then, a few points stand out.

“Simmons’ lack of competitiveness in some crucial games has raised questions about his character as a basketball player. While many top picks succumb to the NBA star lifestyle and emerge as average competitors, it’s rare to see that at the collegiate level,” Givony wrote at the time.

“Simmons has displayed an apathy for defence, contact and delivering winning plays in crucial moments. Those troubling revelations in Simmons’ game are cause for concern among decision-makers on lottery teams with whom we’ve had contact.”

Simmons was slammed for his offensive issues against the Hawks last season. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Later, Givony added: “The concerns about Simmons’ character didn’t magically appear the moment he arrived on campus in Baton Rouge. Those sentiments also have been expressed by members of the Australian national team who have spent time with him at the junior and senior levels.

“Australian players and coaches who have been around him don’t speak about him in flattering terms, calling him ‘the Yank’ to highlight how different he is compared with most of the players from that country, and perhaps highlight how much moving to the United States at a young age and immersing himself in the AAU world has shaped him.

“Those who know him best say he needs things to revolve around him on and off the court and that he’s often been close-minded to coaching or instruction.”

As the old scouting report on Simmons and his character started doing the rounds again following his latest bust-up with the Sixers and coach Doc Rivers, it caught the eye of Australian basketball great Chris Anstey, who shared a photo of the criticism that now looks even more accurate in light of recent events.

The point about Simmons’ reluctance to deliver “winning plays in crucial moments” is telling when you consider his unwillingness to shoot in last season’s playoffs loss to Atlanta, which sparked the tsunami of criticism that convinced the Aussie to leave Philly.

He’s since shown no desire to work on his perimeter shooting, going back to the suggestion the 25-year-old is “close-minded to coaching and instruction”.

I’m top of the list that hopes Ben Simmons turns the corner and succeeds wherever he ends up, but I can’t help but be impressed with this scout from 2016 (via @jamie_staib) pic.twitter.com/R3tXrC5Q3W

— Chris Anstey (@ChrisAnstey13) October 20, 2021

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

ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski wrote on Twitter “Simmons’ reluctance to physically and mentally engage with the Sixers since his return has been a consistent theme”.

Speaking after practice on Wednesday, coach Rivers said: “I thought he was a distraction today. 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.”

Meanwhile, Sixers All-Star centre Joel Embiid said it wasn’t his job to “babysit” anyone as he took another public swipe at Simmons.

Even Simmons’ teammates have turned on the Aussie. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images North America/AFP)

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 still 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.

Simmons has made it clear he wants out of Philly 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.

Simmons was being fined for every pre-season game missed as reports suggested he was determined to sit out for as long as it took to force a trade. However, heavy financial sanctions may have convinced him to return to Philadelphia, which he did last week despite reportedly not telling anyone at the organisation he was planning to come back.