Ben Simmons Seems To Be Faking An Injury To Avoid The 76ers' Home Opener

After missing opening night due to a suspension, Ben Simmons is now saying he's dealing with back tightness. Pain tolerance is subjective, so no one can say for sure, but this is arguably the fakest injury of all time.

According to Yahoo's Shams Charania, Simmons isn't mentally ready for the team and was receiving treatment for his back due to his "ramp up" process. He'll miss Friday's home opener against the Brooklyn Nets.

This is hideous for basketball and a god awful look for the three-time All-Star.

Allowing players to sit out professional sporting events because they aren't "mentally" ready is laughable. A mental crisis where an athlete is proving he'll do bodily harm to himself is absolutely deserving of a pass. However, saying your back's tight and you don't feel ready is pathetic, given these circumstances.

Ben Simmons is just scared to have his returning home moment like LeBron had as a member of the Miami Heat back to Cleveland -- except LeBron was the best player and could drop 40, meanwhile Simmons approaches Friday's big game understanding he's not that guy. And he's right because Ben Simmons would be a liability on any basketball team that expects him to shoot from outside the paint.

Imagine a sold out Wells Fargo Arena raining down boos to a player who was too scared to attempt a wide open dunk during last year's playoff run? Simmons' agent Rich Paul had to be in his ear that sitting this one out is probably best.

And plus, nothing will scare a team from trading for Ben Simmons more than a public execution that would be his participation in tomorrow night's contest. It's a fake injury for sure, but a smart one. And for those wondering why it had to come to this, look no further than his paycheck. Injury allows Simmons to cash a check for north of $300,000. That'll make you lie, won't it?