Patty Mills’ ‘green and gold mindset’ speaks volumes in Simmons blow

Ben Simmons’ week was already as bad as it could be but it appears that the three-time NBA All-Star may have got more noses out of joint.

Patty Mills made a pointed post that appeared aimed at Ben Simmons.

Ben Simmons’ NBA playoffs capitulation has seemingly turned the basketball world against him as fans and media were quick to point the finger at the young Aussie.

Clearly low on confidence with his free throw woes weighing on him so much that he took just one shot in the 44 total minutes he played across his last six fourth quarters, Simmons was low on confidence as the NBA world came down on him.

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But it could also have spread to his potential Boomers teammates.

As Australia’s first NBA All-Star, Simmons was believed to be in for the hunt for the Boomers as Australia chases its first men’s basketball medal, having claimed fourth four times.

But reports emerged as quickly as the 76ers were bounced from the NBA playoffs that Simmons was set to sit out the Olympics as he works on the deficiencies that have seen him be so maligned throughout his career.

After making the semi-finals of the FIBA World Cup in 2019 in the nation’s best ever performance at the tournament, hopes were high that Australia could challenge for that elusive Olympic medal.

Patty Mills is one Aussie who finds another gear when he lines up in the green and gold, averaging 18.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists when representing Australia, while averaging 8.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists for his San Antonio Spurs.

Green & Gold mindset. Period. pic.twitter.com/TvKEV3V9v9

— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) June 22, 2021

The timing of Mills’ post was taken by some fans as a shot at Simmons, with several people tagging the under fire Aussie under the picture.

Sports journalist Mark Gottlieb tweeted: “Patty Mills is smart enough to know how this will be interpreted by many people.”

But Mills isn’t the only one to react with Boomers legend Andrew Bogut told Fox Sports News “it’s his decision”, added that he had a feeling Simmons would pull out.

The Aussie boys have built a culture.

But he added that if the nation needs to jump through hoops to get someone interested, they’re probably not worth having on the team.

“To be too blunt, if you need to be recruited to play for your national team and have a presentation about why you should play, you shouldn’t play,” he said.

“If you love your off-season, you’re going to miss time that you could be spending with family, on a beach, having a few beers that we all want to do at times and if you want to do that, by all means, but it’s a big commitment to play for your national team and I don’t think it’s something you need to be wooed to do.”

7 News also spoke with 34-year-old veteran Aron Baynes who insisted that Simmons has the squad’s full support and that he was still hopeful of Simmons being available.

“I don’t think the guy’s even had a chance to think about what he’s going to have for breakfast the next day or anything. People are already throwing out ‘this is what he’s decided’,” Baynes told 7 News.

“We’re not putting any value on that, it’s still so soon after his season. He’s got to take time and collect himself.”

‘I’m gonna stick with him’: Support for Simmons

Ben Simmons with Dwight Howard.

As Ben Simmons continues to draw criticism for his disappearing act in the 76ers’ second-round loss to the Hawks, one teammate is rushing to his defence.

Philadelphia centre Dwight Howard took to Instagram Live to defend Simmons, imploring fans “send him some positive vibes” rather than scold the three-time All-Star.

“This man is 24-years-old,” Howard said. “He’s still learning who he is as a person and a player. I know a lot of stuff. They can say whatever they want about this man, but he’s still a young man. He’s my teammate. I don’t care how any of y’all feel about my teammate. I’m gonna stick with him no matter what. Ben, I got your back, man. You’re my brother and I love you.”

"He's 24 years old. He's still learning who he is as a person and a player."@DwightHoward says he's got Ben Simmons' back. Respect ✊pic.twitter.com/1JZArukfnR

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 22, 2021

Simmons’ struggles were most apparent at the free throw line. A career 60 per cent free throw shooter, Simmons shot just 34.2% from the stripe in the playoffs, the worst free throw percentage in playoff history for a player with at least 70 attempts.

“There’s a lot of pressure man,” Howard said. “He’s 24-years-old and he got everybody in the world telling him he can’t do something he’s been doing his whole life. Everybody telling him he can’t do it. Now he’s all in his head. Let that man live.

“He might have messed up, didn’t take no shots, didn’t do whatever,” Howard said. “But he’s going to come back better next year.

“That man got it in him to be great, man. I believe this is something that’s going to wake him up.”

— with New York Post