Danny Green discusses Ben Simmons, 76ers early exit on The Green Room

Following the conclusion of the NBA season 76ers wing, Danny Green appeared on his podcast, Inside the Green Room, to discuss what went wrong towards the end of the season. Throughout the interview, Green discussed numerous topics, including the 76ers elimination, his upcoming free agency, and Ben Simmons.

You can check out the full episode of Inside the Green Room here

Green was able to provide a unique inside, having been a part of the Sixers locker room when everything was going on. Despite that, Danny was left sidelined after suffering a right calf strain early in the series against Atlanta. Early on in the episode, Danny Green elaborated on what he felt was mainly a mental issue for Ben.

Danny Green on Ben Simmons:
“You can tell Ben’s the type of kid if he’s not encouraged, if he’s not pushed or forced to do it, he’s not the type to take that risk.” pic.twitter.com/5hx38nbVpB

— Jack Connell (@JackPConnell) June 27, 2021

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“I saw a kid who had been going through a lot the whole year, mentally, emotionally. Outside off the court with his family, things back home, and he doesn’t necessarily discuss them with us in private, but I knew he was going through a lot. He had some things going on during the season. It might’ve all come at once during this time. But you can tell Ben’s the type of kid if he’s not encouraged, if he’s not pushed or forced to do it, he’s not the type to take that risk.”

There is a lot to take away from that quote, but the end is what stings the most. Now, of course, Danny continues to praise Ben for all of the tremendous things he does on the court. But once again, another instance showing how Ben has flat out refused to develop aspects of his game because of his fear of impacting his image. 

This mindset needs to change going forward, or Ben Simmons will never truly be a great basketball player. Later on, Danny Green takes a stance on that issue, believing that Ben will persevere through the criticism and come out a better player on the other side.

“A lot of it is all mental for him, and you can bounce back from it. This is something I was talking to Matisse about. Matisse is my guy; I see him as my protégé; I think he can be really good… it’s a process, trust the process, you really have to put your commitment and work into it, and the more you put the work in, the more mentally comfortable you get with it.”

Danny Green’s true impact as a veteran was seen throughout this episode. Showing how he was able to be a veteran presence in that locker room and hold his teammates accountable but also have their back. Because while it could be so easy for Green to dump the blame on Ben and abandon ship with an expiring contract, he didn’t.

“You never point out one person for a team losing. The media is killing him. The people are killing him all around the world. It’s not Ben Simmons who lost. It was the Philadelphia 76ers.”

The three-time champion raved about the organization and staff and was thankful for his time here but at the same time made it clear throughout the interview he would be considering all options. Danny Green is currently a free agent, and it is unknown if he will be back in Philadelphia for next season. At this point, the 76ers can only offer Danny Green a veterans minimum or the MLE, with Furkan Korkmaz and Dwight Howard also free agents.

Mandatory Credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images