USA Today via Reuters
May 31, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reacts after the basket during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 31, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reacts after the basket during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Sixers are in a make-or-break situation with Ben Simmons. They can either send him out for a package that contains an All-Star level player or keep a dissatisfied underperforming star for one more season.
From being an asset to becoming a liability, Ben has witnessed an overnight twist of fate. He might still have some promising seasons ahead of him, but analysts like Charles Barkley have their reasons to stay mad. So what are those reasons?
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Charles Barkley is really mad at Ben Simmons
Recently, the former Sixers legend gave an interview where he bashed Ben Simmons for not doing his basic job. Notably, the Wizard of Oz shot free throws at a poor rate of 34.2% in the playoffs 2021 before ruining Game 7 for the table-topping Sixers. Now, Chuck had a clear problem with that.
As the 58-YO complained, “Y’all give him $200 million. I think has 160-70 left on that deal. It makes $40 million a year. He gets mad when people criticize him for not only when he will not shoot, he’s afraid of the ball. And he’s mad and wants to leave?
As is evident, Charles Barkley did not resent his former teams Rockets losing its stars or the Suns giving away a 2-0 NBA Finals lead as much as he hated the Sixers’ elimination. In fact, the Hall of Famer was so mad that he explicitly told the 76ers GM during their annual dinner how they must not allow Ben to bully them.
via Imago
NASHVILLE, TN: Charles Barkley speaks during a press conference prior to Game Four of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Read more – NBA Reporter Explains Why Ben Simmons is a Good Fit for Golden State Warriors
Chuck with a message for the chaos involving the Sixers
Ben Simmons reportedly got hurt by the words from coach Doc Rivers and now wants to play for any of the 29 teams but not the Sixers. Moreover, he even stands a risk of losing multi-million dollars if he decides to stay stubborn and not show up at the Sixers training.
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Now, Chuck saw such bullying as a major problem and added, “This is what you guys have created. You’re players and these fans, you don’t hold these guys accountable. Let me get this straight, we liked you enough to give you $100 million. The only thing we ask is for you to be a good basketball player… We’re not even asking… we just say shoot the ball. And he’s mad and wants to leave the town. Come on, this is total BS.”
So yes, the situation around the Peacemaker is far from peaceful. With a few teams still in the contention to have him on board, it will be an interesting turn of events if anything like that happens.
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Watch this story – Ben Simmons, Kyle Kuzma, and Other NBA Players Who Had a Pathetic NBA Postseason 2021
