Ben Simmons’ Sixers teammate Joel Embiid has welcomed back the Australian from exile after the 25-year-old’s shock return to Philadelphia.
The Aussie gave up on his hold out yesterday, arriving at the team’s facility to take a COVID-19 test to make him eligible for practice ahead of the start of the season next week.
Simmons’ return started to gain steam over the weekend, with the Sixers reportedly “working around the clock on a resolution”. The team has been in constant contact with his agent, even though Sixers officials haven’t spoken to the disgruntled star since August.
The Australian’s backflip is a result of not wanting to wear any more financial penalties rather than yearning to be part of the team for the long haul. However, the reason why he’s back didn’t seem to faze Embiid.
Despite labelling the Australian’s absence “disappointing” and calling reports that Simmons didn’t want to play with him anymore “borderline disrespectful,” Embiid changed his tune when asked about Simmons returning.
“That is good for the organisation,” he said. “That’s something that everybody wanted. I’ve always said that I believe that he gives us the best chance to win.
“We are a better team, with him than without, that’s for sure. I’m happy that things have resolved and we can move on and try to be a better team.
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“Personally, I haven’t talked to him since the season ended. Obviously, I tried, but it wasn’t successful as a lot of my teammates have.
“Like I said, it’s unfortunate the whole situation happened, but like I say we are a better team with him on the floor. I think there’s gonna be some adjustments, but it doesn’t need to be awkward. I mean, we are professionals.
“We want to win. I want to win. So he gives us the best chance to win so that’s what I’m gonna go with.”
Young Sixers guard Isaiah Joe echoed Embiid’s sentiments, saying he doesn’t have “bad blood” with the Aussie.
“It’s good to have Ben back,” Joe said. “He’s still a part of this team as Jo was saying, he’s a big asset. We’re better with him on this team so now it’s just about welcoming him back on the team and keep it going from there.
“I don’t have any bad blood with anybody. Ben is still a great guy.
“He’s a friend of mine so whenever we do see him, I’m gonna greet him just like anybody else would and hopefully we can get him back on the floor because like I said, we are a better team with him on there.”
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