Well, as if it couldn’t get any worse, here we are. Ben Simmons was scheduled for a highly anticipated press conference following this morning’s practice. As thousands of viewers waited, and eager reporters stood by, Simmons never showed up which seems to be a recurring theme. Nearly 15 minutes after the time that the presser was supposed to start, we got news that Simmons was suspended for a game due to conduct detrimental to the team. That conduct was later revealed to be a lack of effort, and disengagement from practice that he was consequently kicked out of according to reports.

I’m not sure if any of us really expected it to get this bad, I thought he would at least get through this with a little bit of dignity. This is a vile and gutless way of handling business from Simmons and it clearly isn’t getting better. Ben Simmons will not be available tomorrow evening in New Orleans, and the first game he will be eligible to play in would be the home opener on national television against the Brooklyn Nets, but let’s be real he will duck that too.

Check out Process to Progress: Ben Simmons Drama, Part 10000.

Doc Rivers took over the press conference to speak on the matter, and he was still adamant that Ben will eventually buy in to the team. Rivers did admit that Simmons was a distraction today, and that his removal from practice was to protect the team. Outside of that he was reluctant to reveal any of the potent information that would actually answer any questions that we have. In the end, Rivers said that he expects Simmons to be back and that they will continue working on the team chemistry.

Joel Embiid was also forced into questioning about Simmons, and clearly done with answering for another man, saying “At the end of the day, our job is not to babysit somebody”. Embiid has been masterful in his navigation through these tough times, but it us clear that he is fed up with it by now, and mentioned countless times that his main responsibility is to the team and getting better with the guys that are here.

Read More: Full Recap from Ben Simmons Day 3 Practice >>

More reports continue to roll out, as Ben Simmons, the most fined player in NBA history, continues to bury himself deeper into a hole. It’s now being reported that Ben Simmons refused to speak with employees at practice and secluded himself for the majority of time on his own side of the court.

“Each day, Simmons trains by himself on his own side of the basketball court, shooting jumpers and free throws with rebounders. Sixers players greeted Simmons to start practice on Sunday, saying, “Welcome, Ben!” Simmons nodded.”

The article continues to say that “Ben Simmons is not against playing, but he’s not mentally ready.”

The drama continues. Obviously, Simmons didn’t travel with the 76ers to New Orleans while serving his one game suspension. He won’t be there as the 76ers open up the season against the Pelicans, but is expected to be at practice on Thursday as the 76ers get ready to play the Brooklyn Nets at home on Friday.

Again, there’s no way anyone could feel confident about Simmons playing on Friday but as we have been doing for the last four months, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Make sure to subscribe and listen to Process to Progress, a Sixers podcast from The Liberty Line

Check out the Shop for some pretty hilarious Ben Simmons hate shirts