Ben Simmons’s Olympics withdrawal does not make him un-Australian
Basketball star Ben Simmons has committed the ultimate sporting sin by withdrawing from the Australian Olympic squad and in doing so has become public enemy number one.
He shouldn’t be.
The 24-year-old officially pulled out of the Boomers team for Tokyo on Tuesday after a tumultuous month citing the need for an off-season focus on “individual skill development”.
This situation is complex, delicate and more than a US-based Australian too big for his boots snubbing his country for the biggest of tournaments.
Simmons has had a rough trot, dismal in a semi-final series where his 76ers were eliminated by Atlanta. In a deciding game seven he attempted just four shots from the deep and only took 10 shots or more in just two games of the eastern conference series.
Simmons averaged 9.9 points per game, shooting at 33 per cent from the free throw line. His post-season free throw percentage of 34.2 was the worst in league history, from a minimum of 70 attempts, according to ESPN.
The 2016 No 1 NBA draft pick, whose struggle to connect from the three-point line has been well documented, was now totally bereft of confidence. It is a sad sight when a pro athlete is so visibly and desperately out of form and fighting a battle above the shoulders.
Team this with the uncertain future of the 2018 rookie of the year and triple all-star’s future at Philadelphia and the trade rumour mill running hot, it seems perfectly logical Simmons turn his immediate focus to said individual skill development, work on and fine tune his game, regain confidence and probably find enjoyment from the sport again.
Ultimately, the 76ers are his employer who pay him a dazzling multimillion-dollar contract to put the ball in the hole, win games and impact deciding finals.
As much as we would all love to see the star don the green and gold and help the Boomers to Australian men’s basketball’s first ever Olympic medal, it is, and should be, understandable that he has prioritised his employer.
Playing for your country at an Olympic Games is what childhood dreams are made of, when achieved it is done with much pride. It is an honour that comes with sacrifices including being paid to play.
The Simmons situation is even more stark because of the unwavering commitment of veterans, NBA players themselves, who have been such an influential part of shaping the culture of the national men’s team. The retired Andrew Bogut, Joe Ingles, Aaron Baynes, Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills.
Quotes from Mills featured in the press release from Basketball Australia announcing Simmons’s withdrawal from the team. But those words really packed a punch as Mills voiced them in a pre-recorded video.
“This place right here, and the program we have developed, and how strong our culture is, this is one place for him [Simmons] that is always going to be here with open arms because we are mates,” Mills said. “We are teammates, we are a brotherhood and to be able to represent the green and gold, that is the culture that we have. “The number one fact and characteristic of our group is how we support each other through the good, bad and ugly, whatever it may be, and Ben isn’t an exception to that. No matter what he does, myself and the team will continue to support him because this is a safe place – everyone needs to know and understand that now more than ever, we need to support Ben on his journey.”
If you cut Mills open, he would bleed green and gold. We love and adore him for it. He prioritises playing for the Boomers and has said he thinks about winning an elusive Olympic medal before going to sleep every night.
Simmons might not feel that way – as strongly or at all – about representing Australia, and that’s OK. It doesn’t make him any less Australian.
It’s not the first time Simmons has made this kind of decision which has drawn the ire of basketball fans.
He did not make himself available for the 2016 Rio Olympics or 2019 Fiba World Cup. Fans who paid for lucrative tickets to 2019 exhibition games between Australia and USA Basketball were furious when Simmons did not make the trip from the US while others did.
Simmons needs to get his game in order and do what is right for him. His mental health is also paramount.
In withdrawing, he “made it clear” to Boomers coach Brian Goorjian that representing Australia “is something that he wants to be part of in the future”.
“The Boomers are always here for him,” Goorjian said. “We wanted him to know that in his time of need, the culture and the guys here are behind him and support him.”
If it’s good enough for the Australian Boomers, it should be good enough for Australians.
It is, and should be, understandable that he has prioritised his employer