Tobias Harris on Ben Simmons: “We have to be there for him as a team”

Speaking to reporters after Philadelphia’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Sixers forward Tobias Harris has spoken in support of teammate Ben Simmons, weighing in on his situation

“I think it’s obviously a good start,” Harris said. “But as I said, at this time we have to respect his privacy, his space, and we’ve got to be there for him, with what he’s going through and this process. It’s easy to look at something on the surface and come to assumptions on a lot of things, especially athletes — in general in this space we’re depicted as superhumans, and you’re not really supposed to have feelings or go through anything. So I think we just have to really understand he’s a human first, and if he’s going through something at times we have to respect that and go through that as a team, organization, fans, all the way down the line. Because when he’s in here putting on a show and helping us get wins, everybody is cheering and praising, but we live in a ‘What have you done for me lately?’ type world, but when that’s not the case it’s easy to turn around. So at this time he needs more support. I just think we have to be there for him as a team, and I relayed that to the group. And I hope that message is loud and clear to the fans and everybody around the organization, and honestly, you guys, as well.”