USA Today via Reuters
May 31, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reacts after the basket during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 31, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reacts after the basket during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
As the latest update on Ben Simmons saga brought Simmons’ mental health into the discussion, the 76ers fans grow impatient with the situation. In terms of progress, Ben Simmons has come far from not even agreeing to come to practice. However, since he has revealed that he will need time to be ready to play for the 76ers again, a spark of restless drives through the 76ers fans. In the game against the Brooklyn Nets, several 76ers fans displayed their disapproval of Simmons’ absence from the team.
Moreover, the fans are so fed up with this saga that they have now designed apparel like t-shirts to creatively express their disapproval.
This fans “Ben Simmons missing” shirt. 😬
(📸 @_Talkin_NBA) pic.twitter.com/vQbxy5IOJw
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 22, 2021
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Sixers fans are fed up with Simmons pic.twitter.com/fIQjGJDoPP
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 🗣️ (@_Talkin_NBA) October 22, 2021
76ers fans continue to express their lack of patience with Ben Simmons
Despite the latest update, 76ers fans express their disapproval of having to wait for Ben Simmons to be ready to return to court. According to the latest update, he spoke to the team while shooting around this morning. And he told them he needs time to be fully ready to return to the court.
However, the fans are yet to swallow that pill and accept that Simmons needs time. They got creative with their jerseys and t-shirts especially to express their dismay with the Simmons situation.
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 2, 2019; Portland, OR, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward James Ennis III (11) and 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) celebrate after teammate Philadelphia’s guard Ben Simmons (25) make two free throws to give Sixers a 126-125 lead over Portland Trail Blazers with 10 seconds left in the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
What does this mean for the Philadelphia 76ers?
This gap in synchronization between the franchise’s response and the fans’ response to the Simmons situation is because of the narrative that was harbored against Simmons in Philadelphia. But to be fair, Ben started being hostile to the organization and the city before they did. He refused to even meet his teammates in the off-season, which led to their hostile responses to his behaviors. So this is Ben Simmons reaping the fruits to the seeds he sowed.
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However, the conversation between Ben Simmons and the team is a baby step to begin reparations of the situation. Do you think the Philadelphia fans will accept Ben Simmons if he stays at the 76ers? Or is his time at Philadelphia done for good?
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