Boomers coach, Patty Mills react to Ben Simmons’ Olympics bombshell

Ben Simmons has finally confirmed worrying reports from the US after becoming a punching bag following the 76ers’ NBA playoffs disaster.

Basketball star Ben Simmons has officially withdrawn from the Australian squad for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 24-year-old informed Boomers coach Brian Goorjian of his decision after reports emerged from the US last week suggesting the NBA star was going to skip the Games.

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Simmons wants to spend the off-season working on his skills — in particular his shooting — in preparation for the next NBA season, after he was roundly criticised for his lacklustre performances as the Philadelphia 76ers lost to Atlanta in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

“I have spoken with Ben and whilst we wanted him to be a part of our team, we understand and support his decision and he has made it clear that this is something that he wants to be a part of in the future,” Goorjian said.

“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.

“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.”

Ben Simmons won’t be wearing green and gold.

Simmons’ decision comes after he had shown an interest in competing at the 2021 Olympics, having previously skipped the 2016 Games in Brazil and the 2019 Basketball World Cup.

When reports emerged last week Simmons was considering not going to Tokyo, Aussie basketball legend Andrew Gaze begged him to reconsider.

“The greatest education I had was being involved in the Australian team, it is a culture like no other,” Gaze told SEN. “I would implore him to do whatever it takes to be involved in that.”

Fellow Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut posted on Twitter Simmons’ decision was a “shame”.

When it was confirmed Simmons definitely wouldn’t be getting on the plane to Tokyo, plenty were keen to voice their disapproval.

Sports broadcaster and radio host Andy Maher tweeted: “Extremely disappointing Ben Simmons.”

Journalist Greg Jericho wrote: “Pathetic. @BenSimmons25 needs to sack his advisers and get some people who tell him what he needs to know rather than wants to hear.”

Tom Gara added: “Traitor to the motherland, the Coward Ben Simmons.”

American radio host Robin Lundberg couldn’t resist taking a pot shot, tweeting: “True to form, Ben Simmons didn’t think it was worth a shot.”

Patty Mills weighs in

Meanwhile, fellow NBA stars like Patty Mills and Joe Ingles are committed to representing the Boomers in Tokyo.

Mills, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, threw his support behind Simmons and said he will always be welcome whenever he wants to wear the green and gold.

“As a teammate, as a fan and as a supporter, we all want to see our best players putting on the green and gold and for me in particular, having that thought even to be able to share the court with Benny at some stage in the green and gold, is something I am always going to look forward to and unfortunately now is not going to be the time, and that is OK,” said Mills.

“This place right here, and the program we have developed, and how strong our culture is, this is one place for him that is always going to be here with open arms because we are mates. We are teammates, we are a brotherhood and to be able to represent the green and gold, that is the culture that we have.

“The number one fact and characteristic of our group is how we support each other through the good, bad and ugly, whatever it may be, and Ben isn’t an exception to that. No matter what he does, myself and the team will continue to support him because this is a safe place — everyone needs to know and understand that now more than ever, we need to support Ben on his journey.”

Simmons was nowhere near aggressive enough against Atlanta. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Simmons’ future remains murky

There has been commentary following the Sixers’ playoffs loss that Simmons could use the Olympics to rebuild his confidence following his meltdown in the series decider against the Hawks.

Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said after the game the team had a plan to help Simmons further develop, with a particular focus on his free-throw shooting.

“There’s work. And Ben will be willing to do it,” Rivers said. “Sometimes you have to go through stuff to see it.”

Heading into the off-season and free agency period with an uncertain future, Simmons appears to have made the decision to prioritise himself.

The former No. 1 draft pick was met with immediate trade speculation surrounding his future after star teammate Joel Embiid and Rivers appeared to throw Simmons under the bus in the aftermath of the team’s playoffs elimination.

Embiid suggested Simmons’ failure to take an open dunk in the fourth quarter was the moment the Sixers lost Game 7 against the Hawks.

Rivers said he didn’t know the answer when asked about Simmons’ capabilities of leading a team to an NBA championship while playing the point guard role.