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Ben Simmons' telling move as Brooklyn bundled out of NBA playoffs

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Ben Simmons, pictured here during Game 3 between the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics.

Not only did Ben Simmons not play in Game 4 for the Brooklyn Nets against the Boston Celtics, he didn't even show up.

The NBA world was left outraged on Sunday when it was revealed that Simmons wouldn't play in Game 4 like originally planned.

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The Aussie reportedly woke up with more back troubles and decided not to play, despite his side being in an 0-3 hole against the Celtics.

NBA fans and pundits were left in disbelief over the development, with Simmons failing to play in a single game all year.

He forced his way out of the Philadelphia 76ers in a deadline deal with Brooklyn, but his back injury prevented him from suiting up for the Nets.

He watched the first three games of the series from the bench, but was missing for Game 4 on Monday as the Celtics completed a 4-0 sweep to send the Nets packing.

According to Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated, Simmons didn’t show up due to “ongoing back issues.”

Needless to say, the vanishing act didn't go down well.

Andre Drummond and Ben Simmons, pictured here watching from the bench during the regular season.
Andre Drummond and Ben Simmons watch from the bench during the regular season. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier via Getty Images)

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal said on TNT: “In the hood we call this a punk move.

“You know, when things are going good, ‘Oh yeah I’m going to play in Game 4’. Now that (the Nets) lost, ‘My back hurts’. Well, if your back hurts, get some Icy Hot. I’ll send it to you.

“We call this a punk move. Listen, if you’re not ready to play, you’d get more respect from the people if you just say, ‘I’m not ready to play’ and don’t say nothing else. Don’t be shooting and saying, ‘I’m coming back’.

“If you’re not going to play, don’t say you’re going to play. I think you should play.

“I think you should step up to the challenge and help your team win. But no, the punk move … we all know what that is. Guys that live this life, we know exactly what you’re doing buddy.”

NBA world savages Ben Simmons

NBA legend Reggie Miller was among the many to criticise Simmons' decision not to play in Game 4.

“Cmon MAN!!! Out for Game 4 when it was rumoured you were going to make your debut," Miller tweeted.

"This dude has ZERO competitive (fire). As small a chance as the Nets have to come back in this series, you still have KD and Kyrie, all you need is to win ONE game and take it from there."

Former player Darrick Martin tweeted: “Ben Simmons has got to be the biggest fraud ever in the NBA.

"It’s unfortunate he is a part of the NBA players fraternity. He definitely doesn’t love to Hoop.”

Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, pictured here in Game 4 between the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics.

Outspoken sportscaster Stephen A Smith said on ESPN: “I feel bad for anyone who is his teammate.

“He quit on LSU. He quit on the Philadelphia 76ers and now he ain’t showing up for the Brooklyn Nets.

“We can point to all the excuses, all the rationale behind it that we want to.

“I do recall despite him not playing, he still filed a grievance to collect $20 million (from the 76ers) that he has not earned. This is one of the most pathetic situations that I’ve ever seen in my life.

“He ain’t going to war, he ain’t going in the (UFC) Octagon, he’s not going into the boxing ring. It’s pulling teeth to get this man to play basketball. It’s pathetic, it’s sad.”

The Celtics advanced to the next round on Monday with a 116-112 victory.

with agencies

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