The Ben Simmons news headlines have really stalled lately, since the 76ers organization announced that Simmons returned to practice, spoke with Doc Rivers and the team, and accepted responsibility for everything that has transpired since last season. From there the 76ers stopped fining him, and Simmons has been working with the 76ers medical staff and with trainers individually to get prepared mentally to take the court again. The 76ers could definitely use Simmons back on the court. I know it’s early, but they got beat up pretty bad by the New York Knicks last night, a team that Ben Simmons personally has never lost to in his career.

I was scrolling through Twitter this morning and came across this video clip from Ducis Rodgers. The video shows Allen Iverson talking about Ben Simmons. Iverson was in the headlines a few weeks ago speaking with the Bleacher Report about his desire to work within the 76ers organization and on Ben Simmons. He then sent out a tweet to Ben Simmons showing his support for him shortly after. It’s no secret that Allen Iverson loves Philadelphia. He understands this city and the 76ers’ fan base better than anyone. Zach Ertz, Jason Kelce, and Joel Embiid also come to mind when talking about guys who just “get it”.

Allen Iverson on Ben Simmons:

Full disclosure, I’m not exactly sure where this video came from or if there were any further comments made, so we’ll just focus on the clip above.

“I think the connection with the fans got out of hand and that’s what Ben didn’t want to have to deal with coming back. My whole thing with our fans is we with you if you with us. But when we feel like you don’t want to be with us, then…”

I would have to agree with Iverson here. I think Ben Simmons, when talking about being “mentally ready” to return to the Sixers, is mostly dealing with the pressure of having to face the city of Philadelphia and 76ers fans after millions of reports came out over the last four months saying he was completely done with everything. It’s tough to deal with. Before people get mad, of course I’m not a doctor. Maybe it’s more serious than that or maybe it’s just Ben Simmons doing “whatever it takes” to get out of Philadelphia and stop the fines that he was receiving.

I really do not know and I’m not going to speculate on the medical side of things. What I do know is, the offense in the early goings of the 2021 season looks flat. It lacks distribution, pace, and overall structure without Ben Simmons. On the defensive side of things, just look at what guards have done to the Sixers over the first four games. Tyrese Maxey is a fantastic young player but he’s 20 years old and still needs time to develop.

I do know that if Ben Simmons took the podium and addressed 76ers fans, saying he was sorry about what happened and that he has a lot to learn about life and playing basketball at such a high level and that he wants to put it behind him, play in Philadelphia, and shoot the basketball, fans would forgive him within days actually seeing just that.

Get Allen Iverson in a room with Ben Simmons and let them sort this out. I’m not just saying that, I really mean it. There’s no one better to speak with Simmons on the ups and downs of life and playing basketball in the city of Philadelphia.

Mandatory Credit: AP Sports