Happy to remain a Sixer, Ben Simmons loses triple-double in Miami Heat win

In his first game after finally being ruled out of a trade for James Harden, All-Star Ben Simmons posted a triple-double – 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists – in 34 minutes Thursday to lead the 76ers to a 125-108 victory over the Miami Heat in Philadelphia.

He later called trade negotiations a part of NBA player life.

“I mean, it’s a business,” Simmons said, when asked if he was happy the Harden talks were behind him after the 2018 NBA MVP was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that was formalized on Thursday. “Things like that happen. The only thing I can control is, you know, how I approach my training, the games and my day-to-day. So, you know, I’m just trying to be professional and do the right thing and help my team win. “

Philadelphia – whose president of basketball operations Daryl Morey acquired Harden as general manager from the Houston Rockets in the fall of 2012 – and Brooklyn were the main contenders to land the superstar guard in recent weeks.

In the end, however, Houston chose a Brooklyn package that included a cargo of draft picks over one from Philadelphia against Simmons.

When asked on Thursday if he felt the need to discuss what happened with Morey or with someone else in management, Simmons said he could only control what he could control.

“I come here and work every day,” Simmons said. “So my job is to improve myself and get wins – all the other things that I can’t control. Like I said before, all I can control is how I come up with it. my mindset, with practices and on the pitch, and I had a great time tonight. I am blessed. I can play the game that I love every day at the highest level in the world. … It A lot worse things happen in the world, so, you know, I’m in a blessed position. If you told me that I would never play the game again, that would be another story. “

When asked if he was happy to still be in Philadelphia, Simmons added, “Of course.”

Earlier, Sixers coach Doc Rivers praised Simmons’ defensive effort on a night where he also had three interceptions in addition to his triple-double.

“I thought tonight was what it had to be every night,” Rivers said. “I love the way he plays. I loved the way he played under control. I didn’t force him, he took gaps when they were there. … He was a presence on the floor for us, and not just on the offensive side but on the defensive side as well. It takes us to another level when he plays like that. “