Ben Simmons seems to be showing little regard for his future with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Australian basketball star was ejected from practice by head coach Doc Rivers on Tuesday and is facing a suspension for the upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to his behavior. Sources indicate he was sent home for lack of engagement during the practice session, leading the NBA to cite “conduct detrimental to the team” as the reason for his suspension.
Following the incident, reports on Twitter suggest that he sought relaxation at a strip club. Sports and Entertainment Journalist Landon Buford shared news that Ben was spotted at Delilah’s, a local strip and gentleman’s club near the Wells Fargo Center, just 11 minutes away.
It is worth noting that the information was attributed to a ‘Philly source’ without concrete evidence such as photos or videos to support the claim. This should be taken with caution.
In his apparent efforts to secure a trade away from the 76ers, Simmons seems to be taking unconventional measures.
One observer commented on the situation: “So, Ben Simmons managed to get himself kicked out of practice, suspended for the first game, and proceeded straight to the strip club?! It’s always quite dramatic when star athletes decide they are finished with a particular team.”
Another individual humorously remarked: “Delilah’s strip club has suspended Ben Simmons for failing to throw money onto the stage.”
A third person joked: “You’ve got to admire Ben Simmons for getting booted from practice and heading straight to the strip club for some wings.”
Rivers opted to keep details of why Simmons was dismissed internal, replying to a reporter: “That’s none of your business.” However, according to Shams Charania, the incident stemmed from Simmons refusing to participate in a defensive drill.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Simmons has already incurred a $1.4 million fine for missing four preseason games, in addition to other financial penalties. Since rejoining the Sixers on October 11, he has not received any payment as of yet.
