Ben Simmons: Struggles in Philadelphia started earlier than final season

Ben Simmons mentioned Tuesday his psychological well being struggles started properly earlier than the 76ers’ season ended and he didn’t imagine he’d be capable of overcome them in Philadelphia.

He’s keen to start shifting on with the Brooklyn Nets, although isn’t certain but when he’ll be part of them on the court docket. Nor was he certain how issues bought so dangerous in Philadelphia.

“If I knew, I’d let you know every little thing,” Simmons mentioned. “However there’s simply lots of issues internally that had occurred over time, and it simply bought to a spot the place I don’t assume it was good for me mentally. So, it’s what it’s. It occurred and I’m shifting ahead.”

He spoke on the Nets’ apply heart, lower than every week after the 76ers traded him to Brooklyn as a part of a package deal for James Harden.

The previous No. 1 general decide hasn’t performed because the 76ers had been crushed by Atlanta in Sport 7 of the Japanese Convention semifinals. Postgame feedback from teammate Joel Embiid and coach Doc Rivers after Simmons performed poorly had been thought of the catalyst for his commerce request, however Simmons mentioned that wasn’t the case.

“That was sooner than that sequence and even that season that I used to be coping with and that group knew that,” Simmons mentioned. “So it’s one thing that I proceed to take care of, and I’m getting there and attending to the precise place to get again on the ground.”

Simmons mentioned he hopes to be able to play by the point the Nets go to the 76ers on March 10.

He thanked the 76ers group and followers for his or her help and mentioned he had spoken with some teammates and personnel — although not Embiid — after the commerce. He additionally spoke that day with Kevin Durant, whom he’ll be part of together with Kyrie Irving in a lineup the Nets hope will probably be ok to win the Japanese Convention.

“I believe it’s going to be scary,” Simmons mentioned. “Having these guys run alongside me, a number of completely different weapons on the ground and I believe on the tempo we wish to play at, it’s going to be unreal.”

That was the expectation for his partnership with Embiid, the 76ers’ All-Star heart. They led Philadelphia to the most effective document within the East final season, however Simmons was already coping with private challenges he felt required him to go away the group.

“I believe I simply wasn’t within the place there to do this and lots of issues had occurred over that summer season to the place I didn’t really feel like I used to be getting that assist,” Simmons mentioned. “However it’s what it’s. I don’t have any — it wasn’t a private factor in direction of any participant or coach or homeowners or something like that. It was about myself, attending to a spot the place I should be.”

He’s completely satisfied up to now in Brooklyn, the place he was with the Nets on Monday after they beat Sacramento to snap an 11-game dropping streak. Simmons didn’t wish to converse in depth about what he had been coping with however was requested what he would say to those that noticed him smiling on the recreation and don’t imagine his struggles had been something greater than an excuse to hunt a commerce.

“They need to be completely satisfied I’m smiling, truthfully,” Simmons mentioned. “I’ve had some darkish instances during the last six months and I’m simply completely satisfied to be on this scenario with this staff and group. So persons are going to say what they need. They’ve mentioned it the final six months and I haven’t commented and it’s what it’s, so persons are all the time going to have their very own opinions.”