Ben Simmons' camp unmoved by Sixers' words

Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New Mismatch with @Chris Vernon on Zion’s secret foot surgery and future, vaccines ruling media day, all the latest on Ben Simmons, MPJ’s max extension, John Wall weirdness, how the Lakers recruited Russell Westbrook, and much more. @ringer open.spotify.com/episode/4mzkfa… – 4:47 PM

Michael De Leon @mdeleon
The latest episode of the Spurscast is live with @Paul Garcia and @Josh810 discussing training camp questions, Manu’s return to the team and…Ben Simmons projectspurs.com/2021/09/28/spu… presented by @DraftKings #TBPN #GoSpursGo – 4:30 PM

Diamond Leung @diamond83
Donovan McNabb on WIP when asked about Ben Simmons: “Didn’t Carson (Wentz) do the same thing?” – 4:17 PM

Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
We’re back on @thehalftimeapp, talking all things NBA media day, the latest on Ben Simmons and more. Join us: share.thehalftime.app/audio/A-295f5d… – 4:00 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons believes his pairing with Joel Embiid on the Sixers has ‘run its course’ inquirer.com/sixers/ben-sim… via @phillyinquirer – 3:48 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
‘You can’t blame the Ben Simmons saga on Philly being a tough place to play’ by Locked On 76ers – Daily Podcast On The Philadelphia Sixers megaphone.link/LKN5731843645 – 3:46 PM

The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
Sixers ownership group is willing to “holdout and be stubborn” in regards to finding a good trade package for Ben Simmons 😬👀
h/t @Kendrick Perkins
#NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/H6h0pQGCUB – 3:28 PM

Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
New report on the Ben Simmons situation, potential timing for a trade, and details of his meeting with the Sixers, including how Doc Rivers had hoped to utilize Simmons in a Giannis-like role. @ringer theringer.com/nba/2021/9/28/… – 3:06 PM

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Media Day Monday is meant to carry an upbeat spirit of renewal. Media Day 2021 certainly did not.
Delving into all the NBA latest with Zion Williamson, Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins, Bradley Beal and more in my (free-to-all) Tuesday dispatch: marcstein.substack.com/p/true-case-of… – 1:57 PM

Howard Beck @HowardBeck
On the Crossover, @Chris Mannix and I tackle the Ben Simmons saga (again!), the Kyrie-Beal-Wiggins anti-vax vortex and Dame Lillard’s happiness in Portlandia.
Listen/subscribe: link.chtbl.com/crossover pic.twitter.com/MGqyj4o2Nw – 1:49 PM

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Per @Basketball-Reference,
Ben Simmons is one of five players in NBA history to dish out more than 2,000 assists and grab more than 2,000 rebounds over his first four seasons in the league.
The other four players are:
LeBron James,
Oscar Roberston,
Grant Hill and
Magic Johnson – 1:47 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
From Doc Rivers:
-Still expects Ben Simmons to be here at some point
-More players should feel free to push ball up court without him
-Second unit enjoyed playing with Niang, his shooting – 1:37 PM

John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Don’t call it a comeback: @ChrisRyan77 on life after Ben Simmons for the Sixers
theringer.com/nba/2021/9/28/… – 1:23 PM

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
NEW @TheCrossover Pod w/@Howard Beck: Running through a busy Media Day, from Kyrie’s status, the Sixers response to Ben Simmons, Damian Lillard, Zion’s injury, Porzingis’s position, more. Links: bit.ly/2w1G5e2 – 11:42 AM

Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Lowe Post podcast: @Sarah Kustok on Nets media day, Kyrie, expectations for Brooklyn; then @Tim Bontemps + I on MPJ’s extension in Denver, the latest on Ben Simmons, and a preview of the defending champion Bucks:
Apple: apple.co/3maYBXH
Spotify: spoti.fi/3iakdCf – 11:32 AM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Ben Simmons no longer wants to play with 76ers star Joel Embiid nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/28/rep… – 11:05 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Ben Simmons has made it clear that the pairing with Joel Embiid has run its course #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/28/rep… via @SixersWire #NBA – 10:56 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons believes his pairing with Joel Embiid on the #Sixers has “run its course” inquirer.com/sixers/ben-sim… via @phillyinquirer – 10:53 AM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Among other things, Joel Embiid spoke about being disappointed Ben Simmons isn’t in camp. He pointed to their success in the regular season as a duo.
With Simmons holding out, the Sixers are facing the possibility they won’t have that successful formula: theathletic.com/2853285/2021/0… pic.twitter.com/x52nWRfOB2 – 8:30 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
‘You can’t blame the Ben Simmons saga on Philly being a tough place to play’ by Locked On 76ers – Daily Podcast On The Philadelphia Sixers megaphone.link/LKN5731843645 – 8:17 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
‘You can’t blame the Ben Simmons saga on Philly being a tough place to play’ by Locked On 76ers – Daily Podcast On The Philadelphia Sixers #Sixers megaphone.link/LKN5731843645 – 7:28 AM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Sometimes I think “Philly isn’t that different from other sports markets” and then I find out, for example, that Hurricane Schwartz was going after Ben Simmons before doing the weather lol pic.twitter.com/fWAEarkjHB – 12:59 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
Column: With or without Ben Simmons, the #Sixers will need Joel Embiid to be even better anchoring the defense during the 2021-22 #NBA season: bit.ly/3kN9Eqc pic.twitter.com/kxNPcnvuO9 – 10:30 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Dug this out of my Snapchat memories. 5 years ago today, I began covering Ben Simmons at Stockton University for 2016 training camp. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/jxkAwgX8tq – 9:38 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
In the absence of Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and others are ready to step up and provide production #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/27/set… via @SixersWire #NBA – 9:32 PM

Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
The 76ers should be using this time to focus on how they stack up with Milwaukee & Brooklyn. Instead, they’re trying to mitigate the fallout of having Ben Simmons stage a public tantrum until he gets his way. They used media day to say they want him back. washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09… – 8:37 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Daryl Morey says Ben Simmons requested trade: ‘We were not looking to trade him’ nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/27/dar… – 8:01 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid expressed his disappointment with what’s going on around Ben Simmons, not with Ben specifically, but with how it got to this point. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/27/six… via @SixersWire #NBA – 7:53 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Daryl Morey said he expects Ben Simmons to be a Sixer. Joel Embiid went long on his disappointment, based on the Sixers’ recent success. As Doc Rivers put it, “We’ll have to live our way through it.”
Pregame Birds reading on a unique Sixers media day: theathletic.com/2853285/2021/0… – 7:38 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons was a media day no-show. But Joel Embiid and the #Sixers still want him back: ‘I really hope he changes his mind’ inquirer.com/sixers/joel-em… via @phillyinquirer – 6:46 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Unsurprisingly, nearly every Sixer who stepped to the podium for Monday’s media day was asked about Ben Simmons. And as Doc Rivers continued to publicly navigate the situation, he was mostly open with some testy moments:
inquirer.com/sixers/doc-riv… – 6:36 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
As expected, Ben Simmons skipped media day today. The Sixers sound convinced he’s not going to be with them, at least for a bit. So what’s the plan without him? Coach and players weigh in phillyvoice.com/sixers-plan-wi… – 6:31 PM

Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Matisse Thybulle recently weighed in on the Ben Simmons situation on JJ Redick’s podcast:
“He was thrown under the bus… I lost us the game, which lost us the series, and nobody really spoke about it. They wanted to talk about [Ben] passing up the dunk.” basketballnews.com/stories/matiss… – 6:05 PM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: With or without Ben Simmons, the #Sixers are going to need Joel Embiid to be even better at the defensive end during the 2021-22 #NBA season: bit.ly/3kN9Eqc #76ers pic.twitter.com/x3p2YwvLSh – 3:30 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons was a media day no-show. But Joel Embiid and the #Sixers still hope to bring him back: ‘I really hope he changes his mind’ inquirer.com/sixers/joel-em… via @phillyinquirer – 3:10 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Here are some quotes about the Ben Simmons situation at media day today #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/lists/a-list-o… via @SixersWire #NBA – 2:52 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Joel Embiid had a lot to say about Ben Simmons and the Sixers’ current situation today. The big guy wants his running mate back, but he’s going to go about it in his own way: phillyvoice.com/joel-embiid-di… – 2:44 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers expressed some hope that they can get this situation fixed with Ben Simmons this season #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/27/dar… via @SixersWire – 2:01 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid speak on Ben Simmons’ absence, status with team at 76ers Media Day
cbssports.com/nba/news/doc-r… pic.twitter.com/32NuXZDSjr – 1:53 PM

Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
Bob Myers responding to rumblings about a possible Ben Simmons trade: “I expect this roster to be our roster, certainly in the near-term and we’ll see how it goes. … I want to see our team as it’s constructed.” – 1:42 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Tyrese Maxey on what he and Ben Simmons talk about in the summer: “We both like dogs, we talk about that.”
On the report of Klutch wanting him of Philly: “Me and Rich [Paul] was laughing about it.” – 1:23 PM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey on report Rich Paul, who represents Ben Simmons, wants him out of Philadelphia: ‘That was not true. I love it here. Me and Rich laughed at it.’ – 1:22 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Tyrese Maxey says of Ben Simmons “I love him like a brother,” and that he has a great relationship with him. – 1:22 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Tyrese Maxey says he loves Ben Simmons “like a brother” #Sixers – 1:21 PM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey on working out with Ben Simmons this summer in L.A.: ‘Me and Ben have been friends (for 2 years). I love him like a brother. It’s a great relationship.’ – 1:21 PM

RJ Marquez @KSATRJ
Dejounte Murray on the trade rumors that swirled all summer…and his name being reportedly involved in a Ben Simmons type trade. #KSATsports #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/CGr8Gnyvz0 – 1:12 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Daryl Morey says he met with Ben Simmons 6-7 weeks ago, has talked with his reps since.
Does he think Simmons could come back? “You can look back at how these things play out. Ben’s a great player, we expect him back, we expect him to be a 76er.” pic.twitter.com/D9HduGipDK – 12:51 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Matisse Thybulle says Ben Simmons situation is “as much of a distraction as you guys want it to be. We don’t talk about it unless we’re asked about it.” – 12:50 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Seth Curry says he wants to be a “well-rounded player” and that handling the ball, being more than a shooter is nothing new for him.
He says he’ll do whatever the team asks re: possibly handling more without Ben Simmons. – 12:30 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Tobias Harris said if he knew things would get to this point, he and his Sixers teammates would have visited Ben Simmons’ house the day after the Game 7 loss. … The Sixers attempted to fly to LA to visit Simmons last week, but Simmons declined. – 12:23 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Tobias Harris says “Training camp starts tomorrow and I don’t think (Ben Simmons) is coming through that door so we got to just keep pushing on” #Sixers – 12:13 PM

Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Tobias Harris, on Ben Simmons not being in camp: “As a group, as a team, we start training camp tomorrow, and I don’t think he’s coming through that door. So we have to keep pushing on.” – 12:13 PM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Tobias Harris on Ben Simmons: “I’ve done my part of reaching out and communicating. The situation is what it is at this point. … Training camp starts tomorrow and I don’t think he’s coming through that door, so we have to push on right now.” – 12:12 PM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers forward Tobias Harris on Ben Simmons situation: ‘I have reached out to Ben and spoken to him. … To be honest, I haven’t been in that situation he’s in.’ – 12:11 PM

Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
It’s funny to think that we’re all scrolling through Twitter for Ben Simmons updates and Ben Simmons is somewhere doing the same thing. – 12:02 PM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers swingman Furkan Korkmaz: ‘I don’t know the situation (with Ben Simmons). I love playing with him and would love to play with him. I hope he’s going to be happy and we’re going to be happy at the end.’ – 12:00 PM

Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Part 1: If Joel Embiid had gotten the chance to sit with Ben Simmons, what would he have said to him? pic.twitter.com/80hdcfj5Qt – 11:56 AM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid says “we’ve all seen the (offseason) videos” of Ben Simmons, so him doing that (if he comes back) would be great.
Embiid also highlights offensive rebounding as an area where he thinks Simmons can grow. – 11:53 AM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Asked Joel Embiid what he would say to Ben Simmons if he got to talk to him. After a long pause, he said, “I’d say I’m disappointed” in the fact the situation has gotten to where it is, that he still believes he and Ben can win together and he wants to keep playing with him. – 11:50 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers star center Joel Embiid on his personal relationship with Ben Simmons: ‘I think last year we were closer than before.’ – 11:50 AM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid makes it clear he loves playing alongside Ben Simmons and hopes he comes back since the #Sixers have been building around them two – 11:47 AM

Mitch Lawrence @Mitch_Lawrence
The Sixers will be at the Pelicans on Oct. 20, opening night for both teams. Will Ben Simmons be on the Sixers by then? Will Zion be available to play for the Pels, coming off foot surgery? – 11:47 AM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid on Ben Simmons: “If I didn’t love playing with Ben Simmons, I’m honest, I would say it.”
Embiid says it’s time for the Sixers to take the next step and emphasizes he’s disappointed with the current situation (Simmons not being here). – 11:47 AM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid on what he’d say to Ben Simmons: “Honestly, I’m disappointed.”
Embiid: “In the regular season, we’ve been so good and so dominant that we know it’s working. It’s about taking the next step and everyone playing up to their potential.” – 11:45 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Embiid says he would tell Ben Simmons that he’s “disappointed” about what’s happening and then remind him of what they’ve been able to do. In the regular season, they’ve been so dominant, it’s now about taking the next step. #Sixers – 11:44 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers coach Joel Embiid on what he would have said to Ben Simmons: ‘I would probably say I’m disappointed. We haven’t won anything, (but) look at what we’ve been able to do. … It’s all about taking the next step.’ – 11:43 AM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
“I would say I’m disappointed” Joel Embiid after a long pause on what he would’ve said to Ben Simmons if they met out in LA #Sixers – 11:43 AM

Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
Joel Embiid on calling Ben Simmons passing up a late dunk a turning point after Game 7. “I don’t have any regrets because I didn’t call out anybody. I just stated the facts. I’m honest & I cant lie. I don’t feel like I put anybody in a situation where they had to feel bad.” – 11:38 AM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid said if he regrets anything about what he said after the game, it was for calling out Matisse Thybulle for missing a free throw after the Ben Simmons dunk. He said he just believed that play was the turning point of the game, and so he answered that way. – 11:35 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Joel Embiid acknowledged the Sixers attempted to fly to L.A. to meet with Ben Simmons. – 11:34 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid added that he “of course” wants Ben Simmons back and he adds that he’s been so important to what they’ve been building here #Sixers – 11:34 AM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid said the players did try to go speak with Ben Simmons in California, but that they have to let him “be himself.” – 11:34 AM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Joel Embiid on the Ben Simmons situation: “Of course we want him back.” He acknowledges teammates tried to fly out and meet with him. – 11:34 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers star center Joel Embiid confirms some players tried to go out to talk to Ben Simmons. ‘We just got to let him be himself.’ – 11:33 AM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid on Ben Simmons: “Obviously we want him back.”
Embiid says, “The way I look at is we’ve all got to be better.” – 11:33 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Joel Embiid: “Of course we want him(Ben Simmons) back.” – 11:33 AM

Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
“Of course we want him back,” Sixers All-Star Joel Embiid on Ben Simmons. – 11:33 AM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid says the #Sixers “of course” want Ben Simmons back – 11:32 AM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Doc Rivers: “There’s guys out there who are winners that don’t necessarily shoot the ball.”
Rivers says, if the Sixers don’t have Ben Simmons, they’ll most miss his defense and pace. – 11:31 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Rivers is now comparing Ben Simmons to Rondo, Rodman, and Wallace, as players who also don’t/didn’t shoot, and were very successful. – 11:31 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Talk about a straight to the point question. Reporter asks Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey if Ben Simmons is “soft.” pic.twitter.com/twVCE3mBfb – 11:30 AM

Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Doc Rivers on criticisms that Ben Simmons is “soft”: “I’ve never heard of the word soft compared to the guy that was second in voting in Defensive Player of the Year, personally. – 11:30 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Doc Rivers says he never heard the word, “soft” when referencing Ben Simmons. – 11:29 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
To encapsulate Ben Simmons standoff with Sixers: Org is playing hardball. Made it clear ramifications if he doesn’t report. – 11:27 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Daryl Morey on Ben Simmons: He “is a great player and we expect him back. We expect him to be a 76er.” – 11:24 AM

Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Sixers president of basketball ops won’t get into specifics of Ben Simmons fines/withholding salary, but says it’s “very clearly spelled out what happens” in CBA and his contract by missing media day, practices and games. Sixers can fine him in addition to withholding salary. – 11:24 AM

The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
Doc Rivers snapping at a reporter when asked about Ben Simmons saying “I’m in charge here” 👀
#NBATwitter #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/ABReFNi5Te – 11:23 AM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Doc Rivers doesn’t come out and say it, but strongly implies that Tyrese Maxey is going to be the point guard for as long as Ben Simmons isn’t here. When asked who will be taking Simmons’ place, he jokes it “shouldn’t be hard” to figure it out. – 11:23 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Doc Rivers when asked Ben Simmons wants out of Philly: “It’s tough to play here. Ben didn’t say that. I can’t say he said that. That’s just an assumption.” #Sixers – 11:22 AM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Morey says the last time he spoke to Ben Simmons was when they met with him in Los Angeles several weeks ago. He said he’s talked to his representatives, led by Rich Paul, since then. – 11:22 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Morey says “CBA is clearly spelled out what happens”, referencing Ben Simmons. – 11:22 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers Daryl Morey: ‘We’re not going to talk about specifics of fines (with Ben Simmons holding out),’ but CBA ‘clearly indicates’ what they can do. – 11:22 AM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Daryl Morey says he won’t talk about specifics with fines re: Ben Simmons, but says it is “very clearly spelled out” in the CBA what happens in this type of situation. – 11:21 AM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Doc says without Ben Simmons on the floor in practice, the second unit and trickle-down effect of missing a key player is the biggest concern. Says Tyrese Maxey will have a big role with or without Simmons. – 11:20 AM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Doc Rivers says he has an idea of what he wants to do at PG with Ben Simmons out. Won’t reveal his plan but says it should be easy to figure out what the plan is #Sixers – 11:20 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers Doc Rivers on what he’ll do at point guard with Ben Simmons absent: ‘The biggest thing isn’t who starts – the second unit is the issue.’ Says second-year man Tyrese Maxey will get more minutes ‘with Ben or without.’ – 11:20 AM

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Doc Rivers says it’s fair to expect Tyrese Maxey to have a “big role” with or without Ben Simmons. – 11:20 AM

The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
Do you agree with Brendan Haywood’s assessment on Ben Simmons here?
(via NBA TV)
#NBATwitter #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/6NLCnBgOTR – 11:19 AM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Morey says he last met with Ben Simmons 6-7 weeks ago. Has communicated with his representation in the meantime – 11:19 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers Doc Rivers on the Ben Simmons situation being a distraction: ‘Trade rumors are always a concern (for younger players). For players hearing their names, that’s not easy for them.’ – 11:17 AM

Chris Kirschner @ChrisKirschner
Solomon Hill: “If the 76ers win the series (against the Hawks), does the Ben Simmons thing even go down?” – 11:11 AM

Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
Daryl Morey on if there is any hope for a reconciliation with Ben Simmons. “I think there is a lot of hope.” He added that a “thousand pounds of digital ink” was spilled on Aaron Rodgers being traded from Green Bay & he just led the Packers to a comeback victory last night. – 11:09 AM

Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers Doc Rivers on setting expectations given Ben Simmons’ situation: ‘Clearly not an easy situation, but it’s easy, individually. … We’re going to focus on who’s here with hopes that we do have Ben at some point.’ – 11:09 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
“I think there is a lot of hope” for reconciliation with Ben Simmons. – Daryl Morey – 11:08 AM

Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
“Lot of hope,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said of Ben Simmons playing for the Sixers this season, adding, “We have a lot of optimism we can make it work.” – 11:07 AM