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🏀 Austin Rivers Called Out Ben Simmons

🏀 Austin Rivers Called Out Ben Simmons

Chris Lesiak
September 26, 2022

Shaq backs Ben Simmons over media criticism, an NBA take-foul rule change for the 2022-23 season, and Austin Rivers calls out Ben Simmons over practice claim.

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SHAQ & BEN SIMMONS

Shaq Backs Ben Simmons Over Media Criticism

The Shaq and Ben Simmons feud took another turn over the weekend after clips surfaced of Ben Simmons expressing his mental health issues when a part of the 76ers. Simmons acknowledged that he reached out to Shaq and other NBA analysts that he wished did more to help him through these tough times.

Shaq eventually came out denying Simmons’ allegations of ignoring his mental health issues. O’Neal said in the latest episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaq." "The mental health thing ain’t come out until everybody start bashing you, then you let people know you have mental health problems.” Shaq also said that he told Simmons in a message chain that people don’t understand his issues because he doesn’t talk about them. "Guess what? Everybody goes through struggles. We all do. But this is the game we play. This is the life we live. We ‘gon take criticism. They pay us a lot of money. Somehow, you have to deal with it.” Shaq also said that he was doing his job as an analyst by giving Ben criticism from a Hall of Famer's point of view.

Shaq ultimately wishes him well because he now knows what Ben was going through at the time. He said, “I know that’s a real thing and, again, this is the first time he’s talked in two years. I wish him well. I hope he does what he does. But listen, I come from the era where there’s no excuses. Same problem he has, you don’t think I had those problems? You don’t think the everyday man has those same problems? We all have those problems.”

NBA RULE CHANGE

NBA Take-Foul Rule Change For The 2022-23 Season

The NBA is constantly thinking of new ways to improve fouls and the ultimate flow of each game. Recently, they have changed the penalty for a take foul to one free throw which may be attempted by any player on the offended team that is in the game when the foul is committed. The league thinks this sort of play will now all in all make the game better.

The best way to explain the take foul is when a defender does not make a play on the ball and fouls an opposing team member. This commonly happens when a team is trying to stop a fast-break or immediately following a change of possession. Ultimately the league hopes this change results in more defenders attempting exciting and risk-taking plays. They have even created an exception to the new rule which is in the final 2 minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.

AUSTIN RIVERS & BEN SIMMONS

Austin Rivers Calls Out Ben Simmons Over Practice Claim

Ben Simmons recently appeared on ‘The Old Man and the Three’ podcast hosted by JJ Reddick to tell his story about his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. One specific instance he broke down was from back on October 19, 2021 when Doc Rivers reportedly kicked Ben out of the 76ers practice. This incident ended with Ben receiving a one-game suspension. Ben stated on the podcast that “I was trying to do the right thing and I was just not in that place to play.” “I was like ‘Doc, I'm not ready mentally…’ And he’s like, ‘Well I’m gonna put you in any way.’” Simmons also claimed that he was getting fined for not lifting weights while at the same time he was one of the strongest players on the team.

This eventually caused Austin Rivers, son of 76ers coach Doc Rivers, to chime in on Instagram. He commented in response on a post saying, “Bro you actually believe this dude? If y’all only knew…” Rivers was not on the Sixers and has never been a teammate of Ben Simmons so who knows where these accusations are coming from. But at the end of the day Simmons said that it was a buildup of how he and the team didn’t handle things the right way. Now he will look to turn things around as a member of the Brooklyn Nets this upcoming season.