No Apologies, But Ben Simmons Joins Sixers Teammates At Practice For First Time

 

Since shocking the NBA world by reporting to camp last Monday, Ben Simmons has been practicing on his lonesome, as required until he passed all the health and safety protocols. 

Sunday marked a new twist in the drama, as the formerly-estranged guard joined his Philadelphia 76ers teammates at practice for the first time since he demanded a trade, and originally insisted that he would never play for them again.

Was there an apology to his teammates, or anything like that? Coach Doc Rivers said "He was just one of the players. We just introduced like we always do when a new guy comes back or the old guys comes back. We jokingly did it." So... no, none that we know of.

Tobias Harris was asked about it, according to Sixers reporter Keith Pompey, and responded, tongue-in-cheek, "No, it was perfectly fine."

Ben Simmons returns to practicing with Sixers as a full participant https://t.co/jBy6RIlFYH via @phillyinquirer

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 17, 2021

The "trade demand" is still in effect, and it's thought that several teams are still in negotiations with Sixers GM Daryl Morey, but in the meantime, Rivers says they have to carry on as if Simmons will be playing for the Sixers this season.

Whether that will be opening night is another question. "I don't know yet," said Rivers. "I'm going to wait and see. Conditioning I would say, just watching him, I thought he was in decent shape. Still not obviously game shape. Right now, I’m just trying to get him back comfortable and integrated."

Now we're all anxiously going to have to "wait and see"...

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports