News broke today that Ben Simmons has finally taken a step in the right direction by meeting with Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid, and his teammates today to discuss taking responsibility for the events that we have all seen unfolded over the last four months. Simmons also reportedly told the team that he wasn’t mentally ready to play to his expectations and needed time to step away to focus on his own mental issues before rejoining the team.

Woj tweeted that Ben Simmons has already met with the Sixers’ medical professionals to begin the process of mentally preparing for his reemergence with the 76ers this season. Without a doubt, any return to play for Simmons will be a tall task and a stressful one at that. We have already seen how social media and crowds at other sporting events have reacted to the events unfolded over the last several months. Moving forward, it will definitely be an uncomfortable situation for Simmons, but the fact that he took a small step forward today in accepting responsibility and actually talking with Joel Embiid and the rest of the team is a great sign.

Ben Simmons should be granted the opportunity to focus on this aspect of his life. It’s super easy to forget that he is also a 25 year old that is going through a situation that the NBA has never seen before. Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, and Matisse Thybulle have already taken to social media to show their support for Ben Simmons. This entire situation, as Daryl Morey said yesterday, has united the 76ers locker room.

With that happening, why wouldn’t 76ers fans follow the lead of the players and do the same? I know there will be anger. Ben Simmons hurt a lot of people who have religiously supported him and the 76ers over the past five years, but when Ben Simmons is ready, and as long as he holds up his end of the bargain by playing hard for the city of Philadelphia, the city should take his humanity into account when welcoming him back to the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.

This entire situation has been a learning experience for everyone. It’s possible that Ben Simmons is growing and maturing right before our eyes. We should accept that and move forward. Together.