Tobias Harris defend Ben Simmons after he met and addressed his teammates for the first time since his holdout.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris defend Ben Simmons after he met and addressed hist teammates for the first time since his holdout.
According to a source it was stated that Simmons met separately with coach Doc Rivers, medical staff and teammates on Friday morning at the team’s facility in Camden, New Jersey, and started a process that is expected to continue to keep him from making his season debut.
While speaking on the defense of Simmons, Harry said: “I think it’s obviously a good start, But as I said, at this time we have to respect his privacy, his space, and we’ve got to be there for him, with what he’s going through and this process.
“It’s easy to look at something on the surface and come to assumptions on a lot of things, especially athletes — in general in this space we’re depicted as superhumans, and you’re not really supposed to have feelings or go through anything.
“So I think we just have to really understand he’s a human first, and if he’s going through something at times we have to respect that and go through that as a team, organization, fans, all the way down the line.
“Because when he’s in here putting on a show and helping us get wins, everybody is cheering and praising, but we live in a ‘What have you done for me lately?’ type world, but when that’s not the case it’s easy to turn around.
“So at this time he needs more support. I just think we have to be there for him as a team, and I relayed that to the group. And I hope that message is loud and clear to the fans and everybody around the organization, and honestly, you guys, as well.”
