Ben Simmons is returning to Wells Fargo Center exactly one month after the Philadelphia 76ers traded him to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden. It was a great move for the Sixers, who are enjoying having Harden in town, but they haven’t forgotten about Simmons and his refusal to play this season.
The Australian point guard isn’t ready to return to action, but he’s traveling with the team to this duel. Sixers fans are expected to unleash all their power on Simmons and let him know he’s anything but loved in the City of Brotherly Love. Even though Ben is readying a grievance to recoup some of the money he lost in fines.
Getting booed could be beneficial for the player, but Sixers fans don’t care about that. They want to let him know he’s not welcome in Philly. Earlier today, Simmons was spotted leaving the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia; fans saw him and didn’t hesitate to heckle him.
Philly fans already starting with Ben Simmons
(h/t @AhnFireDigital) pic.twitter.com/me6g5kTkv7
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 10, 2022
After a tumultuous stint with the Sixers, Simmons decided he no longer wanted to be part of the organization. The backlash from fans after a collapse in the second round of the 2021 NBA playoffs earned him a lot of hate and criticism from his fanbase. That prompted Simmons to disconnect from the team and force his way out of Philly.
He’s with the Nets now, getting ready to return to action. Once he’s back, Brooklyn will have a terrific Big 3 with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. He won’t play today but will be the biggest story of the night.
Simmons didn’t pay attention to the hecklers outside the Nets hotel, but things will be a lot worse when he sits courtside at Wells Fargo Center.
