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Ben Simmons on his final season in Philadelphia: “All I wanted was help”

Ben Simmons-Doc Rivers

Photo: David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Ben Simmons offered his thoughts on his last season in Philadelphia during his appearance on JJ Redick’s “The Old Man and the Three” podcast in an episode released Thursday.

The three-time All-Star spoke about his struggles with the Sixers as well as his decision to refuse to play for them after asking out from the franchise. Simmons sat out the whole 2022-23 season citing mental health concerns and a back injury.

“Obviously, I didn’t handle things the right way, but also the team didn’t either,” Simmons said. “I was in such a bad place where I was like, f—, I’m trying to get here and you guys are, like, throwing all these other things at me to where you’re not helping.

And that’s all I wanted, was help.

“I didn’t feel like I got it from coaches, teammates — I won’t say all teammates, because there’s great guys on that team that did reach out and are still my friends — but I didn’t feel like I got that, and it was just a tough place for me.”

Simmons was eventually dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in February in a blockbuster trade for James Harden, but he was bothered by his back while trying to rebuild his conditioning.

In May, the Nets announced Simmons underwent back surgery, and he’s expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

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