A week ago the Philadelphia 76ers resumed fining All-Star guard Ben Simmons his $360,000 check for each game he misses.
Ben Simmons
| Team: |
Philadelphia 76ers |
| Position: | SF, PF |
| Age: | 25 |
| Height: | 208 cm |
| Weight: | 104 kg |
| Birth place: | Australia |
After these actions, Simmons' agent Rich Paul spoke to Shams Charania of The Athletic and said that the Sixers are worsening his client's mental health issues by forcing him to play.
“I truly believe the fines, the targeting, the negative publicity shined on the issue — that’s very unnecessary and has furthered the mental health issues for Ben,” Rich Paul said. “Either you help Ben, or come out and say he’s lying. Which one is it?”
Via The Athletic, the 76ers team officially told that is “absolutely not” the case that they are forcing Simmons' return or accusing him of lying.
Philadelphia's franchise claimed that Simmons should participate in team activities until more information will be provided, regarding the Australian's mental state.
However, the agent held his position: “In this case, we have to get Ben help and not put finances above mental health. As an agent, I understand contractual obligations and I hold myself accountable in this business. But if someone is telling you something, we can no longer turn a blind eye in today’s world.”
According to Rich Paul, Ben Simmons is not there yet and people need to support him.
“How can a doctor, who has only met with Ben once, say, ‘Ben is mentally ready to play?’ So do we keep digging on him, or help him?
If Ben has repeatedly shown behavior that entails he isn’t mentally ready to play, embrace him. Support him. We have to remove our ego from it. We all have to take responsibility.”
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