SUNDAY DECEMBER 10 2017 SPORT 59 Childress swings at NBL boss Philly’s ‘little Oz’ is

REECE HOMFRAY

THE NBL has defended its so- cial media policy after Adelaide 36ers import Josh Childress called out the league’s CEO a boon for big Ben over a controversial tweet sent on Friday night. Childress took issue with the NBL using footage of an ugly incident in which he dropped Perth rival Jesse Wagstaff while playing for Sydney three years ago to promote Adelaide’s game against the Wildcats. Childress was suspended for one game for retaliating to being floored moments earlier. “Yo @JeremyLoeliger what Mum and Dad; friends such as Christian is this nonsense?” Childress Petracca; and good coffee have helped Ben asked the NBL boss on Twitter. Simmons feel right at home in Philadelphia “Trying to play on negative things and making fun of play- ers throughout the season. In

Josh Childress’ tweets addition to playing up on fights and incidents for social media clicks. That’s just a lack of creativ- ity and marketing competence.” He followed that with other tweets which claimed the strat- egy was “lame” and “dumb”. Ben Simmons of the “Yo @NBL you need a new 76ers goes up for the social media manager. Stop dunk against the Los trying to sell controversy. Angeles Lakers #lame #desperate. Picture: AP “It’s not just me. They’ve done this stuff with other play- ers through the year. Trying to sell this crap. The @NBL twit- EVIN PRIEST brother Sean to live in Phila- the Sixers as the No.1 overall from friends made during his have been getting their fix of ter account should be about up- PHILADELPHIA delphia while he finds his pick in the 2016 draft, years at Box Hill Senior quality Australian coffee. lifting the league. I guarantee if groove on basketball’s biggest Simmons is eyeing a long- Secondary College, including Simmons has a downtown a player put up a tweet showing SURROUNDING himself stage. term NBA career with his close mate Christian Petrac- apartment not far from the the league in a bad light, they’d with AFL footballers, family The big move has paid div- family by his side. ca, a midfielder for the 76ers’ court at Wells Fargo be fined. It’s dumb.” members and Australian idends for the 208cm point “It’s a huge help, having Melbourne Demons. Centre. The tweet at the centre of the cafes has NBA export Ben guard, with his per-game av- my brother Sean and my par- “Yeah, I’ve had a few “Philadelphia is a great storm was sent by the league Simmons feeling right at erage of 17.7 points, 9.5 re- ents over here,” Simmons friends come over, a few city; I love living here,” he just hours before Adelaide home in Philadelphia. bounds and 7.5 assists leading said. friends I went to high school said, “people are great, the played the Wildcats in Perth. Simmons revealed that an the once cellar-dwelling 76ers “(Sean) is kind of like my with back home,” Simmons food is great. “How do you think @JChil- Aussie nest he’s created in the to a 13-11 record. assistant, so anything I need I said. “After moving from Aus- lin might be received by the city of brotherly love has been After growing up in New- go through him. “Christian Petracca was tralia, basketball and football #RedArmy tonight? a driving force behind his sen- castle and Melbourne, Sim- “And my parents – it’s al- actually out here for a little are huge here and footy is big #ADEarPER,” the tweet read. sational rookie NBA season mons moved to the US to ways good to have your par- bit.” back home so that’s some- Loeliger did not respond to with the 76ers. attend high school in Florida ents around for support, or if I The entourage’s meeting thing that’s similar. Childress’ question but a The 21-year-old is in no at Montverde Academy, be- feel like a home-cooked meal. place is Bluestone Lane, a “But the biggest difference league spokesman yesterday immediate danger of home- fore spending a college year at “Whatever it is, they’re boutique Melbourne café is just the people. said it was comfortable with sickness, having relocated Louisiana State University. right there for me.” chain with stores across the “Aussies are much more what was posted. mother Julie, father Dave and But since being taken by He’s also enjoyed visits US where the Simmons clan laid-back.” Non-firing Missile cops flak from rival’s coach

EMMA GREENWOOD a crack field in tomorrow’s lieve Magnussen should be nussen is probably best re- Olympic gold medal, he’s won 100m freestyle. mentioned in the same breath. membered for the events he a silver. But near enough’s not OLYMPIC gold medallist Olympic champion Kyle “I don’t know why people did not win, including the good enough,” Callus said. has taken a Chalmers, Cam McEvoy, Aus- continue to talk about Mag- 100m at the London Olympics, Magnussen skipped the swing at polarising swimmer tralia’s fastest man in a textile gie,” Callus said of the 26-year- where he finished with silver world championships this year, James Magnussen, question- suit, rising star old. “Maggie hasn’t done after starting the final an al- preferring to concentrate on ing why the sprinter is consid- and two-time Olympian James anything in four years, hasn’t most unbackable favourite. getting his shoulders right in a ered in the Commonwealth Roberts, who is coached by done anything. He was also a part of the bid to be fit for April’s Com- Games mix given he “hasn’t Callus on the Gold Coast, are “I’ve got , men’s sprint relay that missed monwealth Games. done anything in four years”. among those in contention for who beat him at trials last year a medal in London, although He will use this week’s Magnussen dives into the state title. and no one talks about Roberts, he helped Australia to bronze Queensland titles and next action at the Queensland state But Callus, a member of they all talk about Maggie.” in the event at the Rio Games month’s state meets in NSW titles at the Bris- Australia’s gold medal-win- A two-time world champi- last year after returning from and Victoria as a build-up to bane Aquatic Centre at ning sprint relay team at the on in the blue riband 100m shoulder surgery. the Games trials on the Gold James Magnussen Chandler from today and faces Sydney Olympics, does not be- sprint in 2011 and 2013, Mag- “Maggie hasn’t won an Coast in February.

V1 - NTNE01Z01MA