The Philadelphia 76ers perhaps had one of the most frustrating seasons last year. After a grueling end to the 2021 playoffs where their superstar guard, Ben Simmons, failed to step up, the 76ers were looking forward to starting the 2021-22 season afresh.
But Simmons had other plans. Failing to show up for the training camp, Simmons remained adamant about a trade away from the franchise. While Daryl Morey and the front office did not budge for some time, Simmons opted to sit out for the remainder of the season and was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets halfway through the season.
The 24-year-old guard garnered a lot of criticism for his actions last season. Despite him not suiting up for a single game in the 2021-22 season, Simmons ended up being one of the most talked about players in the league.
Recently, an NBA fan shared a clip of former WWE superstar Kurt Angle to show how Sixers fans would react to seeing Simmons in a Nets jersey.
Ben Simmons when the Nets visit the Sixerspic.twitter.com/WeeaMUPhwD
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) August 27, 2022
“You suck. You suck. You suck!”
The end to the Simmons era in Philly was messy. Given how he was eventually traded, it is safe to say that Simmons and the 76ers did not end things on the best of terms.
It will be interesting to see whether the 6’8″ guard can step up to the plate in Brooklyn. After an end to the never-ending Kevin Durant trade saga, the Australian will play for a Nets team who will try to contend for the championship.
With two superstars in KD and Kyrie Irving alongside him, Simmons certainly has all the help to succeed in the Nets. It will be interesting, though, how he fits in with the team. Given that the Nets already have a ball-dominant guard like Kyrie Irving, seeing Simmons play as the point guard doesn’t seem likely.
The player has shown flashes of being a decent forward in the past. Will he excel in the same role with Brooklyn, or will he resort to a bench role with the team?
