The Philadelphia 76ers got their first win of the season on Wednesday night, earning a 117-97 victory over the Zion-less Pelicans.
But the win did not come without some losses and Ben Simmons’ absence from the team has given their competition the perfect ammunition.
At some point during the second quarter, with the Sixers up 6, Pelicans fans broke out in a “where’s Ben Simmons” chant at the free-throw line, making for a rather awkward moment during the game.
Pels fans really broke out the 'where's Ben Simmons' chant. 😳😳 https://t.co/NBoVWfOBXi
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) October 21, 2021
Simmons was suspended for the opener due to “conduct detrimental to the team.”
And while the young stud is expected to suit up for Philly at some point this season, it doesn’t seem like he has any plans to act like he’s happy about it.
“He’s made it very clear that he doesn’t want to be there,” said Stephen A. Smith. “And he’s made it very clear he is willing to sabotage anything and everything that gets in his way to prevent him from getting the hell out of Philadelphia. Ben Simmons is sending a message to the Philadelphia 76ers; ‘I don’t want to be here, I don’t want any part of this’. And he did it before he was due to speak to the media for the first time since demanding a trade out of Philadelphia. He doesn’t want to answer to the media, he doesn’t want to answer to the local fanbase, he doesn’t want to wear a Philadelphia 76ers uniform. He wants no part of this situation with the Philadelphia 76ers. Is he wrong? You’re damn right he’s wrong. Because it wasn’t the 76ers that did anything to him. He did it to himself.”
It’s an embarrassing situation for Philadelphia, and it’s clear that until the situation gets resolved, nobody is going to let them forget what’s happening in their locker room.
That’s not to say that the Pelicans are without their own problems, but the 76ers are definitely the epitome of dysfunction right now.
