-
Tim BontempsESPN
In his first game, after ultimately not being included in a trade for James Harden, All-Star Ben Simmons had a triple-double – 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists – in 34 minutes Thursday to take the 76ers to a 125-108 victory over the Miami Heat in Philadelphia.
After that, he called trade talks only part of life as an NBA player.
“I mean, this is a company,” said Simmons when asked if he was happy that the Harden discussions are over after the 2018 NBA MVP was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal made official Thursday. “Things like that happen. The only thing I can control is, you know, how I approach my training, the games and my day-to-day activities. So, you know, I’m just trying to be professional and the right one and help my team to win. to obtain. “
Philadelphia – whose president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, acquired Harden as general manager of the Houston Rockets in the fall of 2012 – and Brooklyn have been the top contenders to bring in the superstar watch for the past few weeks.
But in the end, Houston chose a package from Brooklyn with a boatload of draft hooks over a package from Philadelphia with Simmons at the front.
When asked on Thursday if he felt the need to discuss what happened to Morey or anyone else in management, Simmons said he can only control what he can control.
“I come here every day to work,” said Simmons. “So my job is to get better and have victories – all the other things that I can’t control. As I said before, I can only control how I come in with my mindset, with exercises and on the floor, and I had a great time tonight I’m blessed I get to play the game I love every day at the highest level in the world … There’s a lot worse things going on in the world, so, you know, I’m in a blessed position. If you told me I’d never play the game again, that would be a different story. “
When asked if he was happy to be still in Philadelphia, Simmons added, “Of course.”
Earlier, Sixers coach Doc Rivers had praised Simmons’ defensive effort on a night when he also stole three times in addition to his triple-double.
“I thought he is who he should be every night tonight,” Rivers said. “Love the way he played. Loved how he played under control. Didn’t force it, took holes when they got there … He was a presence on the floor in front of us, not just on the offensive end, but also in defense. That takes us to a different level when he plays like that. “