NEWSLETTER
If you’re a Philadelphia 76ers fan, this news might excite you. If you’re not a 76ers fan, you’re probably just tired of hearing about the Ben Simmons drama. I know I am.
Anywho, Ben Simmons has finally ended the standoff between him and Philadelphia just a week before NBA’s Opening Night next Tuesday.
Final ESPN story on Ben Simmons' surprise return to the 76ers on Monday night: https://t.co/8V0UyhYAK8
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 12, 2021
Simmons arrived in Philadelphia on Monday and will have to clear the COVID-19 protocols before he can start working out with the team, but Philly has their All-Star guard back for now.
I’d imagine that all is far from peachy with Simmons and the Sixers after Simmons requested a trade from the team and hasn’t talked to Doc Rivers or the front office since August, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Nevertheless, Simmons is expected to meet with Philadelphia’s leadership on Tuesday to reintegrate himself into the mix this week.
What else is going on around the association, you ask? Let’s check!
• Another major storyline that has consumed the NBA preseason took a turn in a slightly surprising direction this morning when the Brooklyn Nets decided that they were going to start their season without their All-Star guard, Kyrie Irving. Irving has been away from the team due to NYC vaccination mandates for professional athletes. On Tuesday morning, Nets’ GM Sean Marks decided that Irving would not join the team until he met the local order and became eligible to be a full participant. Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, and Brian Windhorst do a solid job answering many of the questions surrounding this morning’s news.
Everything you need to know about the Kyrie Irving situation in Brooklyn.
With @TimBontemps and @WindhorstESPN https://t.co/H8QHos6UxF
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 12, 2021
• On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers and Terance Mann came to terms on a two-year, $22 million extension. Mann spent much of the 2020-21 season as a reserve, averaging 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game but played a significant role when Los Angeles lost Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs. Marc J. Spears has all the details on the extension for Mann.
Terance Mann has signed a contract extension with the Clippers, @espn and @TheUndefeated have learned. Read here for more details: https://t.co/ZomlZ6dTNs
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) October 12, 2021
• Yo, I’m this old! I was in high school when Dwyane Wade burst onto the NBA scene, and now his kid is heading to the G League.
Zaire Wade, the son of Dwyane Wade, is signing a contract in the NBA G League and is expected to join the Utah Jazz’s affiliate Salt Lake City Stars, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dwyane Wade is a part-owner of the Jazz.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 12, 2021
• The NBA will release its 75 Greatest Players list next week. Still, news that Clyde Drexler, Magic Johnson, Dirk Nowitzki, Bob Pettit, and Oscar Robinson will serve as ambassadors for the league indicated that all will be very well-represented on the list.
The NBA also announces that Clyde Drexler, Magic Johnson, Dirk Nowitzki, Bob Pettit and Oscar Robertson will all serve as ambassadors for the league this season as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations … suggesting all five of those legends naturally made the Top 75 cut. https://t.co/m4C5wjTwAC
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 12, 2021
• Jim Boylen sat in on Knicks practice on Tuesday. Boylen was an assistant with the Bulls under Tom Thibodeau when Thibodeau was at the helm in Chicago. All I have to say about this is … *insert Kanye shaking his head GIF*.
Former Bulls head coach Jim Boylen is sitting on the sidelines at Knicks practice today.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) October 12, 2021
• Good news for the Bulls? According to Willie Green, Zion Williamson’s injury situation is still cloudy, and his status for the start of the season remains up in the air. I hope Zion gets back on the court soon because he’s fun to watch and good for the game, but I must admit, the Bulls missing Zion when they play New Orleans on October 22 would be clutch.
Willie Green says Zion Williamson will “get some scans” in the next day or two on his right foot and they’ll proceed from there on what’s next.
Williamson has not started running yet, they are waiting on scans for that.
Has continued to shoot and do some dribbling.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 11, 2021
