Category: Main Rumors

76ers still hoping Ben Simmons will return to the team

Things can change fast, but league sources don’t sense that a deal is anywhere close right now. The Sixers still hope Simmons will return to the team so they can experiment with his role, or increase his value and help create more trade …

Things can change fast, but league sources don’t sense that a deal is anywhere close right now. The Sixers still hope Simmons will return to the team so they can experiment with his role, or increase his value and help create more trade possibilities. On media day, Morey compared the Simmons situation to that of Aaron Rodgers, who threatened to leave the Green Bay Packers but ended up returning for one more season. The Sixers hope Simmons will choose to do the same.

Source: Kevin O’Connor @ The Ringer

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

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

More on this storyline

League sources say the primary motivation for Klutch Sports’ aggressive holdout is to steer him to a team built around him on offense. No matter the roster makeup in Philly, he will only ever be no. 2 as long as Embiid is healthy. -via The Ringer / September 28, 2021
Six weeks ago, a Sixers contingent including Doc Rivers, executives Daryl Morey and Elton Brand, and owner Josh Harris flew to Los Angeles hoping to convince Ben Simmons to return to Philadelphia for training camp, or at least gain clarity on why he wants out. But sources with knowledge of the meeting say Simmons, who was accompanied by his agent, Rich Paul, gave no clear reason for why he demanded to be traded earlier in the offseason. -via The Ringer / September 28, 2021
Jeff Zillgitt: Within this story is obviously the Ben Simmons situation, and while the Sixers said yesterday they want him on the court, they’re also targeting the Western Conference for potential trade partners, I’m told. -via Twitter @JeffZillgitt / September 28, 2021

76ers targeting trade partners for Ben Simmons in the Western Conference

Jeff Zillgitt: Within this story is obviously the Ben Simmons situation, and while the Sixers said yesterday they want him on the court, they’re also targeting the Western Conference for potential trade partners, I’m told. Source: Twitter …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

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
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

More on this storyline

Noah Levick: 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 -via Twitter @NoahLevick / September 28, 2021
A source close to the situation told The Inquirer Tuesday morning that Simmons’ tenure in Philadelphia “is done. He’s not coming back.” The source also noted Simmons was never going to meet with teammates last week in Los Angeles because his decision had already been made. -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / September 28, 2021

Bradley Beal still considering getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Ben Rohrbach: Bradley Beal is asked again about how he came to the personal decision not to get the COVID vaccine: “I’m still considering getting the vaccine, so one thing I want to make clear is that I’m not sitting up here advocating that you …

Ben Rohrbach: Bradley Beal is asked again about how he came to the personal decision not to get the COVID vaccine: “I’m still considering getting the vaccine, so one thing I want to make clear is that I’m not sitting up here advocating that you shouldn’t get the vaccine.”

Source: Twitter @brohrbach

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
It’s a very big year for him, he’s trynna get that money so we’re gonna help him out.
– Bradley Beal on Daniel Gafford – 12:41 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Bradley Beal says he wants to make it clear he wasn’t advocating yesterday that people don’t get the coronavirus vaccine. Repeats it’s his own personal decision. – 12:37 PM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Bradley Beal is asked again about how he came to the personal decision not to get the COVID vaccine: “I’m still considering getting the vaccine, so one thing I want to make clear is that I’m not sitting up here advocating that you shouldn’t get the vaccine.” – 12:35 PM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
What I stated yesterday, I believe what I say. It’s my opinion… I’m still considering getting the vaccine. I’m not advocating that you shouldn’t get it. Let me set that straight.
It is a personal decision between every individual.
– Bradley Beal – 12:34 PM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
We know he’s talented. We love him, we miss him.
– Bradley Beal on Rui Hachimura – 12:33 PM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
I think on the sideline we’ll see a lot of guys arguing over who gets to guard who. I think that’s a good thing. 👀
– Bradley Beal – 12:32 PM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
He wants me off the ball a lot. Being a screener, sometimes a decoy. The fact that I don’t have to do everything all the time helps.
– Bradley Beal – 12:28 PM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
Wes Unseld Jr. and Bradley Beal spent some time with each other in LA this offseason. They went out to eat — Unseld also watched Beal workout a few times. – 12:27 PM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
We did a lot of switching last year, we won’t do that this year.
– Bradley Beal – 12:25 PM
Quinton Mayo @RealQuintonMayo
Today was an awesome day. Electric and exciting. Very detailed. Coach Wes has a strong voice, he’s very defense orientated. The whole practice today was defense.
– Bradley Beal – 12:22 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
I’d say to look into the CBA. The bolded parts are the most relevant to the #Nets situation with Kyrie (and #Warriors with Wiggins, #Wizards w/ Beal, etc). #nba 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/CEBeJmdW4b – 11:22 AM

Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
You heard Bradley Beal, but he wasn’t the only Wizards player who offered their take on vaccines and how they will play a factor in this NBA season. Montrezl Harrell said he got it to protect others around him. trib.al/rkB4pMR – 9:51 AM
Bradley Beal @RealDealBeal23
DAY 1
YEAR 10
LETS GO! – 7:44 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Bradley Beal’s parents and brothers are vaccinated. He remains unvaccinated. “I understand there is a percentage that can get very sick…I lost my smell but that was it for me…Some have bad reactions to the vaccine. Nobody likes to talk about that.” espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 9:35 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
As Bradley Beal’s name trends on Twitter for his comments at Wizards media day about Covid-19 vaccines, Twitter has intervened to attach links with research on vaccine safety. pic.twitter.com/EFqP4DUY7C – 7:20 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Bradley Beal on coronavirus vaccine: ‘It’s funny that it only reduces your chances of going to the hospital’ nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/27/bra… – 5:07 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Spencer Dinwiddie says one of his goals with the Wizards relates to Bradley Beal and “keeping our cornerstone in the building.” – 4:22 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal wishes Russell Westbrook luck in L.A. He confirms he and Westbrook were discussing their futures leading up to the draft. Beal wasn’t on the same page, wanting out. But he did ackhowledge some uncertainty for him at that time. – 2:51 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
(Googles… Are Beal and Kyrie friends?) AK – 2:46 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Bradley Beal said what? – 2:43 PM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Bradley Beal on his bout with COVID-19, which cost him the Olympics: “I didn’t get sick at all. I lost my smell. That’s it.”
Beal adds that no one will talk about adverse reactions to the vaccine and how it impacts player health. No NBA player has missed time due to the vaccine. – 2:40 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Bradley Beal: “I want to win, I want to win the right way and do it here. I think we have enough.” – 2:35 PM
Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Bradley Beal says part of his skepticism of getting the COVID-19 vaccine is breakthrough cases where fully vaccinated individuals can still get the virus. When countered that it lowers the risk of hospitalizion/death, Beal cited his antibodies from previously contracting COVID 🥴 – 2:28 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal says he will not receive a gold medal from the Olympics despite Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green saying he should. – 2:25 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Beal said that having Covid over the summer ahead of the Olympics did not influence his decision to get the vaccine.
“I had it before and I can get it again.” – 2:25 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal is now asking reporters questions about why they got vaccines. When told vaccines significantly lower the chances of hospitalizion or death, he said he hopes he will be protected by having antibodies from previously contracting Covid. – 2:25 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Beal calls new coach Wes Unseld Jr. a “genius” on defense. – 2:15 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal says he’s going to let his agent, GM Tommy Sheppard and chairman Ted Leonsis handle his contract extension negotiations: I”ve got all year to sign it, so I’m not in a rush.” – 2:14 PM
Chris Miller @cmillsnbcs
Bradley Beal admits he’s not vaccinated citing personal reasons. And doesn’t feel pressure to get it. – 2:14 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Beal said he doesn’t feel any pressure to get the vaccine, though he does think about the NBA restrictions.
“They kind of force us, in a way, to want to get it. At the end of the day I talk it over with my family.” – 2:13 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Bradley Beal is not vaccinated and does not want to share why. “Personal reasons.” – 2:10 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal says he is not vaccinated. He cites personal reasons for why. – 2:09 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Kicking things off with one Bradley Beal pic.twitter.com/UEA4xGVhQH – 2:07 PM

More on this storyline

Chase Hughes: Bradley Beal clarified today after yesterday’s comments that he does not believe “the vaccine is bad” and says he doesn’t want anyone to think he was advocating against others getting them. -via Twitter @ChaseHughesNBCS / September 28, 2021
Adrian Wojnarowski: In response to inquiry to NBA concerning vaccination mandates for players, league spokesman Mike Bass tells ESPN: “A vaccine mandate for NBA players would need an agreement with the Players Association. The NBA has made these proposals but the players’ union has rejected any vaccination requirement.” -via Twitter @wojespn / September 28, 2021

Ben Simmons’ camp unmoved by Sixers’ words

A source confirmed that the Sixers’ words failed to produce the expected effect within Simmons’ camp. Source: Keith Pompey @ The Philadelphia Inquirer What’s the buzz on Twitter? Kurt Helin @ basketballtalk Report: Ben Simmons no longer wants to …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

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

More on this storyline

 

A source close to the situation told The Inquirer Tuesday morning that Simmons’ tenure in Philadelphia “is done. He’s not coming back.” The source also noted Simmons was never going to meet with teammates last week in Los Angeles because his decision had already been made. -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / September 28, 2021
The Sixers planned to take a jet to meet with Simmons and attempt to persuade him to commit to playing for the Sixers this season. However, they were instructed not to come because Simmons did not want to meet with them. “He had already closed the book,” the source said. -via The Philadelphia Inquirer / September 28, 2021

 

Ben Simmons not interested in playing with Joel Embiid anymore

Yet of all the problem areas to explore, there’s none more unyielding and impossible to ignore than this: People who have intimate knowledge of how he sees this situation continue to insist that he’s done playing with Embiid. There’s nothing …

Yet of all the problem areas to explore, there’s none more unyielding and impossible to ignore than this: People who have intimate knowledge of how he sees this situation continue to insist that he’s done playing with Embiid. There’s nothing personal about this choice, it seems, but the 25-year-old Simmons has clearly decided that his career is better off without Embiid blocking the runways in the paint that he so badly needs to succeed.

Source: Sam Amick @ The Athletic

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

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
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: What can Joel Embiid do to surpass his fantastic 2020-21 season? bit.ly/3kN9Eqc #Sixers pic.twitter.com/9O5VINWYgP – 10:15 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
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: Can Joel Embiid top his fantastic 2020-21 season? Under the circumstances, he might need to surpass what he did at the defensive end for the #Sixers during the upcoming year: bit.ly/3kN9Eqc pic.twitter.com/GpKFtoRQ5B – 6:45 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
Could Ben Simmons’ saga overshadow an expected MVP-caliber campaign from #Sixers center Joel Embiid? | Off the Dribble inquirer.com/newsletters/si… via @phillyinquirer – 7:01 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: Coming off of a season in which he was runner-up for league, is franchise center Joel Embiid capable of doing more, especially on defense, in 2021-22? bit.ly/3kN9Eqc pic.twitter.com/Dk36mllDHS – 7:00 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
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
One thing I am realizing today is there’s a subsect of twitter that has slowly morphed “Embiid and Doc should have been more careful with what they said after Game 7” (reasonable!) into acting like those two got into a bus and literally drove over Simmons with it – 3:36 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
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Long answer from Joel Embiid on team-wide accountability and being in trade rumors: “That’s just part of the business. If Golden State offered Steph and Klay for me, do you think the Sixers would say no to that. They gotta say yes to that, I would say yes to that.” pic.twitter.com/VhX7oZY3bp – 1:14 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
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Joel Embiid yells, “Hey Danny, you suck!” in the middle of Green’s presser just now.
Green smiles: “That’s my center…He’s still mad we beat his ass in pickup a couple of weeks ago.” – 1:09 PM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid interrupts a Danny Green answer to (jokingly) yell across the room, “Hey, Danny, you suck!”
Green says Embiid is just mad that his team beat Embiid’s in pickup. – 1:09 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers backup center Andre Drummond on saying his beef with Joel Embiid is overplayed: ‘I have no animosity toward him. I look forward to making him the best player he can be.’ Says the two haven’t talked about the past. – 1:02 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Andre Drummond on Embiid squabbles in the past: “We’re like titans, we just clash. We play hard against each other.”
Says there’s no animosity between them. “It’s just basketball…What beef can you really have?” – 1:01 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
Jay King @ByJayKing
Ime Udoka said Al Horford “worked well off of Joel (Embiid)” while in Philadelphia.
“What didn’t work well was us putting him in the best situations.”
Udoka said Horford is in great shape and motivated to “come back and show who he is.” – 12:36 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers stretch 4 Georges Niang: ‘The main reason I’m here is I was able to have a conversation with Doc Rivers during free agency. … I think Philly is a great fit for me. Being on the floor with Joel Embiid and those guys allows me to tee up open 3s.’ – 12:35 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
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers guard Seth Curry on playing well with Joel Embiid late last year/in playoffs: ‘We just got to build on that and add layers offensively. It’s exciting.’ – 12:28 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelas
Am I wearing an Embiid-Simmons collectors item? It could be yours! pic.twitter.com/e4BHRnVxRX – 12:27 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
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Joel Embiid was asked what the team needs from Simmons if he returns: “We’ve all seen the videos. So that would help.” Embiid said Simmons has the potential to be that good. #Sixers – 11:53 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
“I’m sure we’ve all seen the videos. That would help.” – Joel Embiid on what he would like to see from Simmons if he reports to Sixers this season. Also mentioned his defense. – 11:52 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers center Joel Embiid: ‘I got to be better. Go back to Game 7 – I turned the ball over a couple times and missed a couple shots. Game 4 I missed a layup. … I got to be better. That can’t happen.’ – 11:52 AM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid on what he would want to see from Simmons if he does come back and play for them: “I’m sure we’ve all seen the videos. That would help.”
(Also notes his defense among other things will be valuable regardless) – 11:51 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Could Simmons’ saga overshadow an expected MVP-caliber campaign from Embiid? | Off the Dribble #Sixers inquirer.com/newsletters/si… via @phillyinquirer – 11:51 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Embiid did reference the videos everybody has seen this summer with his jump shot. He adds that “it would help”. #Sixers – 11:51 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
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid wants to make sure his disappointed quote isn’t taken out of context. The big man is not disappointed in Simmons. Embiid disappointed in the situation because of what he thinks this team can accomplish. – 11:48 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Embiid has been adamant that he does not want the “disappointed” comment to be taken out of context. He’s not disappointed with Simmons, he’s disappointed that he’s not here and the situation is what it is right now. #Sixers – 11:48 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Embiid says he’s disappointed that Simmons situation has deteriorated. “I really hope he changes his mind..I do love playing with him because he adds so much to our team. We’ve been building this team around us. I don’t see it as ‘This is my team’. I don’t care about any of that” – 11:48 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
“He knows we can win together.” “I really hope he changes his mind” – Embiid on Simmons – 11:48 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers center Joel Embiid: ‘This year I might shoot more 3s because I think that’s going to help the team.’ – 11:48 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
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
On being “disappointed,” Embiid said he believes the Sixers are on the right path and ready to take the next step. “I hope he changes his mind … I love playing with him.” – 11:46 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers star center Joel Embiid: ‘I’m disappointed in the fact we’ve seen the results. … I hope that he really changes his mind. If I didn’t like playing with him, I would say. We’ve been building this team around us.’ – 11:46 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers center Joel Embiid on his defensive impact and wanting to be DPOY: pic.twitter.com/gcrHz231yb – 11:45 AM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
What Embiid would say to Ben, if Simmons would have met with him:” I’m disappointed, obviously because we haven’t won anything.” “Look at what we’ve been able to do. It’s all about taking the next step” – 11:45 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
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid on if he had to chance to talk to him: “I’m disappointed … Look at what we have been able to do. I have to be better. Everybody has to be better. But we have been so dominant that we know what’s working. …” – 11:44 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Embiid with a long, long pause when asked by @Tim Bontemps what he would say to Simmons. “I’m disappointed. We haven’t won anything … I got to be better, everyone has got to be better. But in the regular season, we have been so dominant … we know it’s working.” – 11:44 AM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid on what he would say to Simmons: “I would probably say I’m disappointed…I think it’s all about taking the next step, and everybody playing up to their potential, whether it’s me, him, Tobias, Shake, Matisse…everybody has to be on point.” – 11:44 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
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid on asking fans to be better: “The fans have the right to act the way the want to. Personally, I would not like to be in another city… Only fair for them to be pissed off when we lose…They work hard for the money they make… – 11:40 AM
Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
Joel Embiid: “I would not want to be in another city because I love Philadelphia.” He said the main reason is the passion of the fans & their desire to see their teams to win: “They care.” – 11:40 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Embiid, on Philly fans: “Fans have the right to act the way they want to. Personally, I would not want to be in another city…It’s only fair for them to be pissed off when we lose…We get paid based on them coming to games and buying jerseys. I’m grateful for it.” – 11:40 AM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid says he doesn’t want to play anywhere else because of how invested the fan base is here. “They know who the 15th guy on the team is … I could be averaging 50 points a game, and they’re going to be mad if we lose.” – 11:39 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers coach Joel Embiid on wanting Philly fans to ‘be better’ ‘The fans have the right to act the way they want to. Personally, I would not want to be in another city. It’s only fair for them to be pissed off when we lose. – 11:39 AM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid on the fans: “The fans have the right to act the way they want to. Personally, I would not want to be in another city, I like Philadelphia because they care. They come to games…they know everything about the team…it’s only fair for them to be pissed off when we lose.” – 11:39 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Embiid says trade rumors are a part of the business, and players have to understand that, and move on. – 11:38 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
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid: Trade rumors are “part of the business. … You can’t get mad at that. That’s just the way it is.”
Embiid recalls “the whole city wanted” him traded two years, and “you don’t really get treated as a human being. … Then again, it is a business.” – 11:38 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Embiid: “If Golden State called and offered Steph and Klay for me, you think the Sixers would say no to that? I would say yes.” #Sixers – 11:37 AM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid said everyone needs to grow up and handle trade rumors professionally. “If Golden State came and offered Steph and Klay for me, wouldn’t the Sixers say yes to that? I would probably say yes to that [if I was them]” – 11:37 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Joel Embiid on dealing with trade rumors: “If Golden State came and offered Steph and Klay for me…I would say yes to that…You can’t get mad at that.”
“It is a business. It’s unfortunate to be in that situation.”
Embiid says it’s just something they have to deal with. – 11:37 AM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid on trade rumors: “You just have to deal with them. … If the Warriors called and offered Steph and Klay for me, do you think the Sixers would say no to that? … I wouldn’t say no to that.” – 11:36 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers coach Joel Embiid: ‘If Golden State offered Steph and Klay for me, they got to say yes to that. How do you not? You can’t get mad at that.’ #Warriors – 11:36 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid doesn’t regret his post-game comment. “I don’t have any regrets because I didn’t call anybody out on this…. You know I can’t lie.” – 11:36 AM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Joel Embiid says he doesn’t have any regrets about his post-Game 7 comments and reiterates the Sixers “all gotta be better.” – 11:35 AM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid says he doesn’t have any regrets about his comments after Game 7. Says he was “just stating the facts” #Sixers – 11:35 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
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid asked if he regrets G7 comments: “I don’t think I said anything, I asked a question about what was a turning point. It was a the turning point…I don’t have any regrets, because I didn’t call out anybody, I just stated the facts.” – 11:35 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers coach Ben Embiid: ‘I was asked a question about the turning point (in Game 7). … I don’t have any regrets. I didn’t call out anybody.’ – 11:35 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
“I know he’s(Ben) going through a lot, and I guess we just gotta let him be himself.” – Embiid – 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
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Embiid on Simmons: “I know he is going through a lot … we just have to let him be himself.” – 11:34 AM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Joel Embiid confirms that they tried to go out to LA to meet with Simmons: “That’s what it takes to win, and I still believe that we got a chance to win with him. I know he’s going through a lot, and I guess we just gotta let him be himself.” – 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
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid on Simmons: “Of course we want him back, he’s a big piece of what we’ve been building the past few years…the way I look at it is, we all got to be better. After we lost, I kinda tried to figure out ways I could be better so we can win something.” – 11:33 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Joel Embiid says “of course we want [Ben] back … there’s a lot of stuff that has happened … the way I look at is we all got to be better.” – 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
Joel Embiid is here. He says his knee is “fine” and he feels “pretty good.” pic.twitter.com/L0ocWXShPf – 11:32 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid opens up media day by saying his knee is fine. He’s been working out all summer and he’s good. #Sixers – 11:32 AM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Joel Embiid says his knee is fine. He’s been working out all summer and hasn’t had any setbacks #Sixers – 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
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers star center Joel Embiid waiting in wings to speak at media day. – 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
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid’s and Danny Green’s remarks about Philly fans: ‘Fans are fans. I think most cities are about the same. I think this is an intense fan base. I like the people caring.’ – 11:11 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
Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
Doc Rivers on why Ben Simmons wants out of Philadelphia: “It’s tough to play here. Ben didn’t say that. I can’t say he said that. That’s just an assumption.” – 11:07 AM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Daryl Morey says he thinks there’s “a lot of hope” for reconciliation with Ben Simmons. – 11:07 AM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
“It’s a tough answer because it wasn’t as clear as we probably wanted.” Doc Rivers on why Ben Simmons wants out. Makes it clear he doesn’t think his G7 comments are a reason why since they talked about it the next day #Sixers – 11:07 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers coach Doc Rivers on why Ben Simmons wants out: ‘That’s a good question. … It’s tough to play here, but Ben didn’t say that. It’s just an assumption.’ – 11:06 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Morey says Sixers were not looking to trade Ben Simmons after season. His reps asked for a trade. – 11:06 AM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Daryl Morey on Ben Simmons’ absence at Sixers camp: “We are disappointed he’s not here…but we are very excited about the players that are here. We are focused on them.” Added any personnel move will be what he believes will be what’s best for the team. – 11:05 AM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Daryl Morey says Sixers “were not looking to trade” Ben Simmons and that Simmons’ reps asked for a trade after the season in Chicago.
“We are disappointed he’s not here,” Morey says of Simmons. He says his focus is to “do what gives us the best chance to win a championship.’ – 11:05 AM
Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
Doc Rivers on how his comments after Game 7 about Ben Simmons were taken out of context: “Who do you think defended Ben more? I think the world of him as a player.” On if that comment is why Ben wants out of Philadelphia: “I don’t believe that’s one of the problems.” – 11:05 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
In Philadelphia, Daryl Morey confirms that Ben Simmons reps asked for a trade shortly after the season. “We were not looking to trade him,” Morey said. “We’re disappointed he is not here.” – 11:04 AM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Daryl Morey on Ben Simmons: “We were not looking to trade him.” – 11:04 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers coach Doc Rivers on remarks about Ben Simmons after Game 7: pic.twitter.com/9oTDhf9s9S – 11:04 AM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Doc Rivers begins his press conference defending what he said after Game 7 about Ben Simmons, saying he wasn’t answering the question being asked. Rivers said he still thinks “the world” of Simmons as a player. – 11:04 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
“To me, sometimes I wish instead of just going with what you want, go with my intent.” – Doc Rivers on post Gm 7 Ben Simmons comment. – 11:03 AM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Doc Rivers on Ben Simmons: “I still think the world of him. I think the world of him as a player. Just because he doesn’t do certain things you want him to do doesn’t mean he’s a bad player.” – 11:03 AM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#Sixers Doc Rivers on Ben Simmons situation: ‘I still think the world of him as a player, Just because he doesn’t do things you want him to do – he almost won the Defensive Player of the Year.’ #NBA – 11:03 AM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
“I still think the world of him as a player” – Doc Rivers on Ben Simmons #Sixers – 11:03 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Doc Rivers insists he never answered question about Ben Simmons post Game seven. – 11:02 AM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
Doc Rivers clearly still frustrated about his infamous Game 7 comments regarding Ben Simmons #Sixers – 11:02 AM

More on this storyline

“I watched last night a player lead their team to victory where a thousand pounds of digital ink were spilled on how much he would never play for that team again,” Morey had said of the Green Bay Packers star who led a last-second win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night after looking destined for a divorce with the franchise just months ago. “Look, every situation is different, but we have a lot of optimism that we can make it work here. …Ben’s a great player, and we expect him back. We expect him to be a 76er.” Cue the response. “It’s total bullshit,” one source with knowledge of Simmons’ outlook said of Morey’s analysis. -via The Athletic / September 28, 2021

Caris LeVert has injury setback

Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert has a stress fracture in his back, but there’s optimism that it could only be a minor setback and he could return sometime around the start of the season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday. Source: …

Indiana Pacers guard Caris LeVert has a stress fracture in his back, but there’s optimism that it could only be a minor setback and he could return sometime around the start of the season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday.
Source: ESPN

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Pacers’ Caris LeVert has stress fracture in his back
sportando.basketball/en/pacers-cari… – 10:16 AM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Pacers already getting hammered with injuries. Caris LeVert and TJ Warren out indefinitely. Edmond Sumner out for the year.
That’s three key wing players (and a small ball PF in Warren) on the shelf to start the year. Feels like we’re never going to see the fully realized Pacers. – 9:36 AM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Pacers G Caris LeVert has a stress fracture in his back, per @Adrian Wojnarowski.
There’s optimism that it could only be a minor setback and may return around the start of the season. pic.twitter.com/mLi3HUMexM – 9:36 AM

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Pacers guard Caris LeVert has a stress fracture in his back, but there’s optimism that it could only be a minor setback and he could return sometime around the start of the season, sources tell ESPN. – 9:33 AM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Caris LeVert says he’s in a good spot and focused on getting back his conditioning lost after having his kidney removed.
“I had a good offseason so I’m looking forward to the season.” – 11:46 AM

More on this storyline

 

 

Kyrie Irving to take the vaccine eventually?

Irving couldn’t participate in the on-site media day festivities, and league sources believe Irving will wind up taking the vaccine, citing influence from his close friend and teammate Kevin Durant. “That doesn’t mean that I’m putting any limits on …

Irving couldn’t participate in the on-site media day festivities, and league sources believe Irving will wind up taking the vaccine, citing influence from his close friend and teammate Kevin Durant. “That doesn’t mean that I’m putting any limits on the future of me being able to join the team,” Irving said later.

Source: Vincent Goodwill @ Yahoo! Sports

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
I can understand where Kyrie Irving is coming from. But #Nets and COVID rules in NYC are big issues amid team’s departure for training camp in San Diego, of all places. PODCAST: open.spotify.com/episode/2zYV3m… – 11:42 PM
Dan Favale @danfavale
“maybe dlo is watching game 7 of the 2016 nba finals, or maybe kyrie got vaxxed, because surely there’s no way kat’s teammate and longtime friend would otherwise tweet about him,” he thought, somewhat hopelessly, before continuing his nightly doomscrolling – 11:05 PM
Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
Has there ever been a bigger distraction in the modern day NBA than Kyrie Irving? – 9:37 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
On a team already with Kevin Durant and James Harden, I would rather have all the pieces I could get for Kyrie Irving rather than Kyrie Irving. – 7:01 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Sally Jenkins on Kyrie Irving’s dodging of vaccine questions at Nets media day: “Kyrie Irving is too smart for you. He’s so smart, he can outwit germs and governments. He’s so smart, you can’t understand a word he’s saying.” @PostSports wapo.st/3CWbfR3 – 6:26 PM
Candace Buckner @CandaceDBuckner
Sally Jenkins on Kyrie Irving, who’s always the smartest person in the room. (Even if he’s alone in the room and away from his team due to covid-19 protocols.)
washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09… – 6:03 PM
Mike Mazzeo @MazzNYC
Kyrie Irving’s not a distraction but obviously a distraction vaxx status fiasco not impacting @DraftKings futures odds, #Nets still 2-1 for the #NBA title and win total holding at 56.5 – 5:43 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets media day was a circus. Kyrie Irving was a late scratch only to appear on Zoom, David Letterman showed up and LaMarcus Aldridge discussed his heart situation. Today’s story on a news-filled day. Subscribe for 50 percent off: theathletic.com/2852816/2021/0… – 5:40 PM
Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
Best I can discern, the #Nets “plan” re Kyrie Irving is not truly a plan. Seems as though they are hoping he will change his anti-vaccine stance, perhaps through peer pressure from teammates. They are holding training camp in San Diego, which will allow Kyrie to practice. – 5:17 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Nets’ Irving declines to discuss vaccination status
The team said the guard will accompany them to San Diego for training camp, which starts Tuesday. newsday.com/sports/basketb… – 5:15 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
On a day when he wasn’t at Barclays Center and David Letterman was, Kyrie Irving asks for privacy about vaccine, availability for Nets (from @AP) apnews.com/article/a8820b… – 4:57 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Kyrie Irving declines to address vaccination status, asks for privacy over Zoom at Nets Media Day
cbssports.com/nba/news/kyrie… pic.twitter.com/aMEyhH6V3g – 4:52 PM

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Denver will become the 4th team in 2022-23 that has 3 players on max contracts.
– Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
They will join Brooklyn (KD, Harden, Kyrie), GSW (Steph, Klay, Wiggins) and LAL (LeBron, AD, Russ) – 4:46 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
More questions, no answers on Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status for this season for @NYDNSports
nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 4:20 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
(Googles… Are Beal and Kyrie friends?) AK – 2:46 PM
Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
This is a fake quote from MPJ (stolen from someone else’s fake quote about Kyrie so it’s not even an original fake). pic.twitter.com/p3ET3I3GFp – 2:27 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Kyrie Irving on playing Nets home games: ‘Please respect my privacy’ nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/27/kyr… – 2:02 PM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on ⁦@ForbesSports⁩
Brooklyn Nets Star Kyrie Irving Says He Wants To Keep His Vaccination Status ‘Private,’ Plans To Be There ‘Every Day’ For Team forbes.com/sites/adamzago… – 1:51 PM
Jason Jones @mr_jasonjones
Gotta love media day. Everyone focused on “every part” of their game. Everyone is making the playoffs. The only thing of interest thus far is Kyrie … other than that we’ve heard it all before – 1:44 PM
Brian Windhorst @WindhorstESPN
Full report from Nets media day on Kyrie Irving situation plus updates on Irving & James Harden contract extension discussions: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 1:16 PM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Kyrie Irving would not confirm or deny his vaccination status. Asked if he is looking forward to playing in front of the Brooklyn fans, he said, “The last thing I wanted to create was a distraction and all this hoopla.” – 12:19 PM
Mitch Lawrence @Mitch_Lawrence
Kyrie Irving is first-team All-Distraction. – 12:19 PM
Barbara Barker @meanbarb
Kyrie says he doesn’t want to be a distraction. Sigh. – 12:19 PM
Tom Lorenzo @TomLorenzo
Kyrie: “first things first, you gotta respect the privacy… I’m not here to create more drama.” on IG Live after signing off Zoom.
“Don’t say I never did anything for y’all; hope y’all enjoyed that.” – 12:18 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Kyrie, on Instagram Live after his Zoom with reporters ended, says he doesn’t want to create drama, says he wants to continue to lead in the right way. – 12:18 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Kyrie Irving on contract extension talks with the Brooklyn Nets: “We’re having great talks. It’s going well. We know the future is on our side, sort of say, being able to maximize our potential in these next coming years to make a few runs at this championship.” pic.twitter.com/ljkJDAx1Lz – 12:18 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Kyrie Irving said he doesn’t want to be a distraction to the Nets’ pursuit of a title. “This is the last thing I wanted to create, more distractions.” – 12:17 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Kyrie Irving says,
“I feel like we have a recipe for success.” – 12:16 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Asked if he’s excited to play in front of the Brooklyn fans, Kyrie Irving says “I’m excited…The last thing I wanted to create was this hoopla and distractions. I’m continuously growing and learning from others…It won’t be easy, but I feel like we have a recipe for success.” – 12:16 PM
Barbara Barker @meanbarb
“This is the last thing I wanted to create is more distractions and hoopla around this.” kyrie irving says. – 12:16 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Kyrie Irving actually just said he wants no distractions. He’s first-team All-distraction. – 12:16 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“I know that I’ll be there everyday no matter what — I know that the focus has to be on an all-time high. No distractions.”
⁃Kyrie Irving on being available for the Nets this season. – 12:16 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Kyrie Irving refuses to answer if he plans to play in home games this season. In a related story, Nets season tickets are still available. – 12:15 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
When asked if Kyrie Irving will play in home games in New York — where it is mandatory to have at least one COVID-19 shot — Irving declined to answer.
Irving referred back to his privacy and said that information will come in the future. – 12:15 PM
Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Kyrie Irving gets another question about being available at Nets home games: “Everything will be released at a due date once we get this cleared up.” Continued to ask for privacy on the vaccine/availability topic. – 12:14 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Kyrie Irving says,
“I wouldn’t be anything without the teammates I have around me.” – 12:14 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Asked about his vaccination status, Kyrie Irving says it’s a private matter. Later asked if he expected to play home games in NYC, Irving again asks media to respect his privacy. He intimates that information about his status/availability will be made public at a later date. – 12:14 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Irving was asked about his availability to play in Nets home games: “Again, please respect my privacy. Everything will be released in due time when all of this is cleared up.” – 12:14 PM
Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
Kyrie Irving repeatedly declining to answer questions about vaccinations/COVID-19 stuff.
“Again, I would like to keep all that private.” – 12:14 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Kyrie on if he expects to play home games this season, given the NY vaccination mandates: “Again, please respect my privacy.” #nets #nba pic.twitter.com/wBmzmUK0bz – 12:14 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Asked if he expects to play in home games with the Nets, Kyrie Irving says “please respect my privacy.” Said he will release something on it once he clears things up. – 12:13 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
Kyrie Irving asks the media to respect his privacy with regard to why he isn’t at Nets media day. Says everything will be released “at a due date, when this is all cleared up.” – 12:13 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Kyrie Irving was asked about a potential contract extension: “We’re openly communicating and we’ll see. It’s going well.” – 12:13 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Asked about signing an extension, Kyrie Irving says he’s had open communication with KD and Harden and they all know how they feel on it. “The future is on our side.” Said they’ve had great talks on it and are going well, but doesn’t offer a timetable, like Harden. – 12:12 PM
Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
Kyrie Irving ducking anything relating to his availability. Whether he can play in #Nets home games remains an unknown. How the #NBA is allowing this is a mystery. Very frustrating. – 12:12 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“We’re having great talks, it’s going well. The future is on our side to maximize our potential and win a championship.”
⁃Kyrie Irving on discussing a contract extension to stay in Brooklyn. – 12:12 PM
The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
Actor Michael B. Jordan making this comment on Kyrie’s IG Live 😂
#NBATwitter #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/8UcoYcMkMg – 12:12 PM

Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Reporter tries to get more info from Kyrie Irving on vaccine/possibly not being available for home games per New York City ordinance: “Please respect my privacy. Next question.” – 12:12 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Players don’t have to reveal vaccination status, but here are the facts: Unvaccinated, Kyrie can’t play in any Nets home games, plus games at MSG or in Toronto. These are legitimate, basketball-related questions. – 12:11 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kyrie Irving on his vaccination status and whether he’ll be available for home games: “Please respect my privacy, next question.” #Nets – 12:10 PM
Tina Cervasio @TinaCervasio
“I’d like to keep that stuff private …in the world of Kyrie just want to keep that private & handle that with my team …move forward … does not mean I’m…” …Not going to hinder the team moving forward…
Essentially how Kyrie answered the vaccination question. More to come … pic.twitter.com/od3VPa2lrZ – 12:10 PM

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Kyrie Irving joins Nets media day remotely. On if he expects to be compliant with vaccination to play: “I would love to keep that private and handle that the right way with my team. Obviously I’m not able to be present there today.” He adds he’s not putting limits for future. pic.twitter.com/00fYCtBcNR – 12:09 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie on his ankle: “It’s been a long road.” Said he was in a lot of pain. He’s been able to rehab but is taking time and wants to be as healthy as possible coming into the season. – 12:09 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
I asked Kyrie Irving about his vaccination status, and whether he expects to be either vaxxed or compliant by the time they come back from LA. He declined to answer and said “I prefer to keep that private.” #Nets – 12:09 PM
Barbara Barker @meanbarb
Kyrie did not say whether or not he is vaccinated. “I’d like to keep that private,” he said. – 12:08 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Kyrie Irving on his vaccination status: “I like to keep that stuff private.” pic.twitter.com/orG5lRJMGm – 12:08 PM

Mike Mazzeo @MazzNYC
Kyrie Irving says he’d like to keep his vaccination status private … – 12:08 PM
Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Kyrie Irving doing media availability away from the team facility declines to address vaccine status: “I’d like to keep that stuff private and handle it the right way with my team and go forward together with a plan.” – 12:08 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Kyrie Irving says he will keep his vaccination status private “and handle it the right way with my team and go forward together.” – 12:08 PM
Malika Andrews @malika_andrews
Kyrie Irving, when asked about his vaccination status: “I’d like to keep that stuff private.” – 12:08 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving on his vaccine status: “I like to keep that stuff private. There’s a lot of questions going on in the world of Kyrie and I’d just like to keep that private. Obviously I’m not able to be present today but I’m not putting any limits on the future.” – 12:08 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Kyrie Irving on his vaccination status: “I appreciate the question, but I’d like to keep that stuff private.” – 12:08 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Kyrie Irving, joining Nets media day via Zoom, declines to answer questions about his vaccination status. “I’m not able to be present there today but it doesn’t mean I’m putting any limits on the future.” – 12:08 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kyrie Irving says he wants to keep his personal vaccination status private. – 12:08 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving on the roster: “I’m looking forward to every part of this journey…we added more firepower to the interior. I’m looking forward to playing with everybody.” – 12:06 PM
Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Kyrie Irving says,
“I’m looking forward to every part of this journey.” – 12:06 PM
Tina Cervasio @TinaCervasio
Kyrie Irving zooming in from Home for #Nets Media Day. (But some tech problems right now 🤦🏻‍♀️). But …. He actually has his IG LIVE right now!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/G5fB1P4I8r – 12:05 PM

Chris Sheridan @sheridanhoops
This is how Kyrie Irving is doing media day. No clarity yet on how he will play home games and comply with new NYC COVID regulations. pic.twitter.com/0ujcmLud9T – 12:04 PM

Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Kyrie Irving joining Nets media day via Zoom. pic.twitter.com/pBmTED4DRS – 12:03 PM

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Kyrie appears at Media Day via Zoom pic.twitter.com/fn0WZHU7LJ – 12:03 PM

Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kyrie Irving has joined Nets Media day via Zoom. – 12:03 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
We’re told Kyrie Irving is next. – 12:01 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Asked about Kyrie Irving’s availability, Joe Harris and Bruce Brown proceed to look at each other, and then say neither of them have any concerns about it. – 11:57 AM
The Jump @_Talkin_NBA
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving’s talent as a 🏀 player
(via NBA TV)
#NBATwitter #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/A26vzWJUnw – 11:53 AM

Tina Cervasio @TinaCervasio
So many players, including Joe Harris and Bruce Brown just now … “we rely on Kai…” … which just make me think, and this is not reporting it’s just a vibe. … I feel like Durant and Harden (or someone) may be making progress with Irving to get vaxxed. pic.twitter.com/QN8gvMvtGK – 11:52 AM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Kevin Durant expects #Nets to have ‘whole team’ amid Kyrie Irving vaccination drama nypost.com/2021/09/27/kev… via @nypostsports – 11:43 AM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Using David Letterman at Nets media day for sound bites and laughs to overshadow the story about Kyrie Irving’s anti-vax stance — if that is what happened — is gross and terribly predictable with retrospect. – 11:08 AM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Kevin Durant was asked about Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status today at Nets media day: “That’s his personal decision, what he does is not on us to speculate. I expect us to have our whole team at some point.” pic.twitter.com/HcjuIzUFu7 – 11:02 AM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Kyrie Irving missed Nets media day activities due to NYC’s COVID-19 health and safety regulations
The city requires “proof of at least one dose of vaccination for all workers and individuals in indoor entertainment and performing arts venues.”
➡️ yhoo.it/3CS4ZJQ pic.twitter.com/4lsXgc3bmz – 10:59 AM

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @ForbesSports
Brooklyn Nets Star Kyrie Irving To Appear Via Zoom At Media Day As Questions Swirl Around His Vaccination Status
forbes.com/sites/adamzago… – 10:57 AM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Deandre Bembry, a St. Pat’s product who has known Kyrie Irving for years, on his pal’s vaccination status: “Me knowing Kai, he’s gonna make his own decisions. The fact that the season is here, he’s going to make his own decision on what he wants to do.” #nets – 10:54 AM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
DeAndre Bembry on Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status: “He’s gonna make his own decisions.” #Nets – 10:53 AM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
DeAndre’ Bembry asked about Kyrie Irving’s availability having known him a long time: “He’s going to make his own decisions. That’s pretty much what it comes down to.” – 10:52 AM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
DeAndre’ Bembry plans to help St. Pats, his alma mater, now that he’s back in the area. Kyrie Irving went there before him, but didn’t overlap with him, but has been very supportive of the school since graduating. – 10:50 AM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Cam Thomas says he saw Kyrie Irving on Friday. – 10:33 AM
Sarah Todd @NBASarah
I don’t think anyone expected Kyrie Irving at media day and that’s not a good thing. – 10:27 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Asked about Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status, James Harden says he will let the media talk to Irving and listen to what he will say before adding that Kyrie is a huge part of what the Nets are trying to do. – 10:25 AM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
James Harden said he would let Kyrie Irving speak later today for himself. He did offer, “Obviously, Kai is a huge part of what we want to do, so …” – 10:23 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
James Harden punts on a question on Kyrie Irving, saying he will let the media ask Kyrie himself. “Obviously Kyrie is a huge part of what we do.” – 10:21 AM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
James Harden on Kyrie not being here:
“I’ll let you guys listen to what he has to say about that.
Obviously Ky is a huge part of what we’re trying to do.” – 10:21 AM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
James Harden asked about Kyrie Irving’s status, said he’ll defer to Irving when we speak to him and hear what he has to say. Adds Irving is obviously a big piece to the Nets. – 10:21 AM
Tina Cervasio @TinaCervasio
Kevin Durant says 2 key things: believes they’ll be a”full team” in time.(On ques about Kyrie Irving not being allowed inside Barclays Center today due to not being vaccinated) also:
“I love our roster on paper…now we gotta go out & do it between the lines” #BrooklynTogether pic.twitter.com/zxrGd8HSxK – 10:14 AM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
According to NY rules, Kyrie Irving can’t play or practice at home until he gets a vaccination shot. Kevin Durant: “We trust in Kyrie and I expect us to have our whole team at some point.” #Nets #NBA – 10:11 AM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Kyrie Irving will not be at Media Day in Brooklyn today, sources confirm. NYC mandate states that all Knicks/Nets need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to practice/play home games in NYC. Nets training camp is in San Diego. Irving may talk to media via Zoom. ESPN first reported. – 10:11 AM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving’s availability: “I expect it not to be [an issue]. That’s on Kyrie and that’s his personal decision. … We trust in Kyrie. I expect us to have our whole team at some point.” – 10:10 AM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Asked about Kyrie Irving’s availability at home games, Kevin Durant said he’s not worried about it, said it’s his personal decision. – 10:10 AM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Kevin Durant, when asked if he was concerned about Kyrie Irving‘s availability for the season given NYC’s protocols, said bluntly: “No” – 10:10 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Kyrie Irving won’t attend Nets media day due to health and safety protocols sportando.basketball/en/kyrie-irvin… – 10:09 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving’s availability at home games going forward and if it will be a concern: “I expect it not to be. That’s on Kyrie. That’s his personal decision. What he does is not for us to speculate… We expect Kyrie and expect the whole team at some point.” – 10:09 AM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Asked if he’s concerned about Kyrie not being available for home games given that he’s not here today, KD says:
“No…we trust in Kyrie and I expect us to have our whole team at some point.” – 10:09 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Durant says he is not concerned about Kyrie Irving’s availability. “We trust in Kyrie. I expect us to have our whole team at some point.” – 10:09 AM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kevin Durant says he’s not concerned about Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status.
“We trust in Kyrie and I expect us to have our whole team at some point.” – 10:09 AM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
KD on whether inking long-term will help convince Kyrie Irving and James Harden to do the same: “We all three talked about playing here for a long time but their situations will happen on their time and we all respect that.” #Nets #NBA – 10:07 AM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
KD on potential extensions for Harden and Irving:
“We all 3 talked about playing together for a long time but their situation is going to happen on their time and when they want it to happen” – 10:04 AM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Durant on his extension: “I wanted to be here. We’ve all talked about being here long term.” Said Irving and Harden’s situations will happen on their own time. – 10:04 AM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
David Letterman is here at Barclays Center for Brooklyn Nets Media Day. He appears to have replaced Kyrie Irving, who is not expected to be available, per ESPN. pic.twitter.com/P6QUsTEQSU – 10:00 AM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
We’re told Kyrie Irving will address the media on Zoom later. – 9:59 AM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
So David Letterman is here in the #Nets media day, but not Kyrie Irving. That’s about par for the course. He’ll be on Zoom later. #NBA – 9:59 AM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Kyrie Irving is not expected to attend Brooklyn’s media day today due to New York’s health and safety protocols, a source told @SInow. – 9:58 AM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Greetings from the Barclays Center press conference room. First time in here since the Nets beat the Bulls on March 8, 2020 in Jacque Vaughn’s debut as interim head coach. Nets Media Day kicks off shortly. As Shams reported, Kyrie Irving will not be joining us. – 9:56 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Nets’ Kyrie Irving will not be at Media Day today in Brooklyn due to health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. – 9:52 AM
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
Kyrie Irving is not expected to attend Nets media day today due to New York City health and safety protocols but the Nets fully expect Irving to accompany the team to training camp in San Diego, sources tell @Brian Windhorst and I. – 9:50 AM
Tom Ziller @teamziller
Enough about Kyrie. The story here is that the NBA and its players’ union are allowing misinformation to take hold AND allowing anti-vaxxers or vaccine skeptics to control the narrative. ziller.substack.com/p/where-the-nb… – 9:32 AM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
The most shocking thing you will read today.
(At least, until Kyrie talks to the media). pic.twitter.com/Qi5V2HV5qS – 7:22 AM

More on this storyline

Though roughly 90% of NBA players are vaccinated as training camp approaches Tuesday, tension exists between those around the league mandated to be vaccinated and the nearly 40 unvaccinated players, league sources told ESPN. -via ESPN / September 28, 2021
In some instances, vaccinated staffers say they’re concerned about the health risks of being exposed to unvaccinated players. In others, staffers say they’re upset that players aren’t facing the same vaccine requirements as most team staff and referees. In still others, there’s animosity toward the league itself for not imposing such a mandate. -via ESPN / September 28, 2021
One vaccinated Western Conference strength and conditioning coach said they’re concerned about a potential breakthrough case that could affect family members. “For me, it’s a problem because my parents are very sick, and I’m in close contact with these guys and I would hate to bring this home and my parents pass away from it,” the coach told ESPN. -via ESPN / September 28, 2021

Michael Porter Jr. agrees to max extension with Nuggets

Adrian Wojnarowski: Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has agreed on a five-year designated max extension that could be worth up to $207 million, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Source: Twitter @wojespn What’s the …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Denver will become the 4th team in 2022-23 that has 3 players on max contracts.
– Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
They will join Brooklyn (KD, Harden, Kyrie), GSW (Steph, Klay, Wiggins) and LAL (LeBron, AD, Russ) – 4:46 PM
The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
Nuggets F Michael Porter Jr. has agreed to a five-year max extension that could be worth up to $207 million, per @Adrian Wojnarowski 💰 pic.twitter.com/BFPxPWd2aX – 4:44 PM

Michael Singer @msinger
I can confirm Michael Porter Jr. has agreed to a five-year, max extension with the #Nuggets, a league source told @denverpost as Woj reported. – 4:43 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has agreed on a five-year designated max extension that could be worth up to $207 million, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @Priority Sports tells ESPN. – 4:41 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
For the MPJ crowd, this was a step down today from previous takes on Covid and vaccination. si.com/nba/2020/07/29… – 2:54 PM
Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
This is a fake quote from MPJ (stolen from someone else’s fake quote about Kyrie so it’s not even an original fake). pic.twitter.com/p3ET3I3GFp – 2:27 PM

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jamal Murray on Michael Porter Jr.: “It’s kinda like Mike and I have switched places.” – 1:37 PM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Tim Connelly says that the contract discussions with Michael Porter Jr. and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, are going well. – 11:43 AM
Michael Singer @msinger
Connelly on MPJ contract:
“We’re looking to (extend him). Both the team and Michael can’t imagine him being elsewhere. Fingers crossed (it happens soon).”
Connelly said he talks with with Bartelstein and Mike often about it.
Good q, @Ryan Blackburn. – 11:43 AM
Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Tim Connelly on the topic of Michael Porter Jr.’s rookie extension: “Both the team and Michael can’t imagine him being elsewhere.” – 11:43 AM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Connelly said that there has been constant conversations with MPJ and his camp on his extension.
“We’re looking to do so. Both the teams and Michael.” #Nuggets pic.twitter.com/oSaqnroonB – 11:42 AM

Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
‘Both the team and Michael can’t imagine him being elsewhere.’
– Tim Connelly when asked about the status of MPJ’s contract extension – 11:42 AM
Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Michael Malone on where Michael Porter Jr. can improve:
“Offensively, I think he has to be more disciplined running the floor.”
“Defensively, I know in my conversations with Michael that it’s something he wants to improve in.” – 11:20 AM

More on this storyline

Bradley Beal is a vaccine skeptic

Quinton Mayo: I would ask the question to those who are getting vaccinated ‘why are you still getting COVID?’ – Bradley Beal Source: Twitter @RealQuintonMayo What’s the buzz on Twitter? Chase Hughes @ ChaseHughesNBCS Bradley Beal wishes Russell …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal wishes Russell Westbrook luck in L.A. He confirms he and Westbrook were discussing their futures leading up to the draft. Beal wasn’t on the same page, wanting out. But he did ackhowledge some uncertainty for him at that time. – 2:51 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
(Googles… Are Beal and Kyrie friends?) AK – 2:46 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Bradley Beal said what? – 2:43 PM
Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Bradley Beal on his bout with COVID-19, which cost him the Olympics: “I didn’t get sick at all. I lost my smell. That’s it.”
Beal adds that no one will talk about adverse reactions to the vaccine and how it impacts player health. No NBA player has missed time due to the vaccine. – 2:40 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Bradley Beal: “I want to win, I want to win the right way and do it here. I think we have enough.” – 2:35 PM
Neil Dalal @NeilDalal96
Bradley Beal says part of his skepticism of getting the COVID-19 vaccine is breakthrough cases where fully vaccinated individuals can still get the virus. When countered that it lowers the risk of hospitalizion/death, Beal cited his antibodies from previously contracting COVID 🥴 – 2:28 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal says he will not receive a gold medal from the Olympics despite Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green saying he should. – 2:25 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Beal said that having Covid over the summer ahead of the Olympics did not influence his decision to get the vaccine.
“I had it before and I can get it again.” – 2:25 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal is now asking reporters questions about why they got vaccines. When told vaccines significantly lower the chances of hospitalizion or death, he said he hopes he will be protected by having antibodies from previously contracting Covid. – 2:25 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Beal calls new coach Wes Unseld Jr. a “genius” on defense. – 2:15 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal says he’s going to let his agent, GM Tommy Sheppard and chairman Ted Leonsis handle his contract extension negotiations: I”ve got all year to sign it, so I’m not in a rush.” – 2:14 PM
Chris Miller @cmillsnbcs
Bradley Beal admits he’s not vaccinated citing personal reasons. And doesn’t feel pressure to get it. – 2:14 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Beal said he doesn’t feel any pressure to get the vaccine, though he does think about the NBA restrictions.
“They kind of force us, in a way, to want to get it. At the end of the day I talk it over with my family.” – 2:13 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Bradley Beal is not vaccinated and does not want to share why. “Personal reasons.” – 2:10 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bradley Beal says he is not vaccinated. He cites personal reasons for why. – 2:09 PM
Ava Wallace @avarwallace
Kicking things off with one Bradley Beal pic.twitter.com/UEA4xGVhQH – 2:07 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Report: Russell Westbrook urged Bradley Beal to request trade from Wizards nba.nbcsports.com/2021/09/27/rep… – 11:13 AM

More on this storyline

Arturas Karnisovas: We want Zach LaVine to be in Chicago for a long time

KC Johnson: AK: “We’re committed to Zach LaVine. We want him to be in Chicago for a long time.” Source: Twitter @KCJHoop What’s the buzz on Twitter? Rob Schaefer @ rob_schaef Zach LaVine said Bulls front office took input from him on FA moves. Said …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine said Bulls front office took input from him on FA moves. Said he appreciated that level of trust – 2:50 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Zach LaVine said front office did allow some input in off-season moves. – 2:49 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
When asked about his message to unvaccinated NBA players, Zach LaVine said he’s going to keep COVID-related questions personal – 2:48 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Zach LaVine said Bulls players got to Chicago a week in advance to start getting to know each other and practicing – 2:47 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Zach LaVine said numbers don’t matter, just wins. Isn’t worried about sacrifice with him/Vooch/DeRozan because all are high IQ players who try to make right play. – 2:45 PM
Joe Cowley @JCowleyHoops
Zach LaVine is not worried about his pending free agency or where he ends up. Reiterated he has Bulls across his chest. That’s for you Jimbo! – 2:43 PM
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Zach LaVine:: “I’m a team-first guy. I’m excited about the moves we made.”
Said he’s not worried about his contract. It’s just about winning and showing up to work tomorrow when camp starts. – 2:42 PM
Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Arturas Karnisovas on Zach LaVine: “We want him to be in Chicago for a very long time.” Says trade deadline/free agency moves prove that – 2:22 PM
Michael Singer @msinger
Jamal Murray said Victor Oladipo, Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie and Zach LaVine have all talked to him/ helped him during the rehab process. – 1:35 PM

More on this storyline

Even if the Bulls fail to make the playoffs again, he is still a good bet to re-sign with them given how little cap space there is elsewhere. Vucevic is also currently eligible for an extension worth up to three years, $85.5 million. He can only sign it during the offseason. -via HoopsHype / September 25, 2021
Zach LaVine was excited by the Chicago Bulls’ aggressive offseason, but says this season is crucial in determining the direction for the team and himself as he enters the final season of his contract. “At the end of the day it’s a business,” LaVine told ESPN on Thursday. “They did what was best for the team and I will continue to go out there and do what’s best for the team as well. This season going forward is going to be extremely crucial not just for me but for everybody. Winning would take care of everything.” -via ESPN / September 23, 2021
The Bulls and LaVine did have extension discussions before free agency, sources said, but they did not find common ground. Instead Chicago executed sign-and-trade deals for Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan and signed Alex Caruso as a free agent last month, spending nearly $200 million as they look to break a four-year playoff drought. -via ESPN / September 23, 2021