Gilbert Arenas explains how the Sixers failed Ben Simmons

Everybody around the NBA is talking about Ben Simmons right now. The former first-overall pick has made it clear that he has no intention of ever playing again for the Philadelphia 76ers, prompting many trade rumors around the league.

And, even though Simmons has plenty of blame for his current situation, he’s still got several valid reasons for wanting to leave. Coach Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid seemingly threw him under the bus after their playoff elimination, and he’s not willing to bury the hatchet.

That’s why, given how things went down and how the Sixers used him last season, former All-Star Gilbert Arenas actually sided with the Australian guard, claiming that his team failed him all along.

NBA News: Gilbert Arenas Says The Sixers Failed Ben Simmons

“The bad part about it is, they don’t want to blame themselves for what he became,” Gilbert said on his Podcast. “You’re talking about a guy who is 6’11, can get to the basket anytime he wants. He’s the point guard that is coming downhill, long, can jump. Really, he’s unguardable if his mentality was “I’m gonna go out and score 40.”

“So when you’re doing post up plays where he’s passing it to Embiid and his man is sagging… My thing was with Doc: what f**king plays are you running when he’s in… The fact that you’re not smart enough to say “Hey, Ben Simmons. F**king just drive. Just go score. 1-4 flat”… The fact that you’re not actually using him. The fact that you’re not “Greek-the-Freaking” this dude tells me another story too… My thing is he took 5 shots, that’s coaching too. You’re not getting him involved… he’s at the point where it’s more mental than anything,” he added.

Arenas surely knows his basketball and he makes some pretty strong points right there. Even so, Simmons has earned some of the backlash and criticism from the fans, as he hasn’t shown any willingness to embrace criticism and work on the few flaws in his game.

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Rightnow, it doesn’t seem like Simmons and the Sixers can ever make amends, and fans aren’t going to let go of this any time soon. Hopefully, he’ll fulfill his untapped potential wherever he goes now.