Ben Simmons says Philadelphia 76ers didn't provide support as he struggled with mental health

Ben Simmons said in an interview published Thursday that he just wanted «help» during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, and that many within the organization didn't support him as he struggled with his mental health.

«I was in such a bad place where I was like, f---, I'm trying to get here and you guys are, like, throwing all these other things at me to where you're not helping. And that's all I wanted, was help,» Simmons told former Sixers teammate JJ Redick on The Old Man & the Three podcast.

«I didn't feel like I got it from coaches, teammates — I won't say all teammates, because there's great guys on that team that did reach out and are still my friends — but I didn't feel like I got that, and it was just a tough place for me.»

Simmons, a three-time All-Star, was acquired by the Brooklyn Nets in February as part of the blockbuster trade that sent James Harden and Paul Millsap to the Sixers. Simmons did not play for either team during the 2021-22 season, undergoing surgery in April for a back injury, and he had pushed for Philadelphia to trade him after the end of the 2020-21 season.

In February, Simmons said that he just didn't feel like himself during his five seasons in Philadelphia.

He told Redick that he tried «to do the right thing» by trying to get back on the court prior to last season — after threatening to not play for the Sixers again — but he was kicked out of practice by coach Doc Rivers for being a «distraction» after Simmons declined several times to sub in for a drill. He ultimately was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

«I actually spoke to Doc before practice. I was like, 'Doc, I'm not ready. Mentally, I'm not ready. Please just understand that,'» Simmons said on the podcast. «I tried