Ben Simmons’ Two Cents on Playing in Philadelphia Hostility: “Grown Men Pissed Off and Yelling at Me..”

Ben Simmons departed from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022. With that, and a lot of injuries to tend to, it has now taken him nearly 2 years to make a comeback against his former team. Stepping into the game, Simmons faced a familiar scenario this time around as well. As he checked into the game with 7 mins left in the first quarter, waves of boos dramatically inaugurated his first moments of the game. However, the Brooklyn Nets broke a years-long tradition of losing against Philly, securing a decisive 136-121 victory, even in the absence of Joel Embiid. The victory puts an end to Brooklyn’s nine-game losing streak against Philadelphia. Moreover, it also signifies Ben Simmons’ first win against his former team since the trade.

Following the game, Simmons was questioned about the dramatic reactions he consistently receives from the crowd during his returns. Responding humorously, Simmons framed the narrative with a touch of levity, stating, “I got grown men pissed off and yelling at me.” It was Simmons’ just 4th game against the Sixers, almost all of them coming with boos from the fans.

Upon Simmons taking the court, the Nets made a deliberate effort to involve him in the game. In the preceding game, Simmons played a key role in elevating the tempo for the Nets, resulting in a high-scoring performance. The trend continued as Simmons contributed with 9 quick assists, propelling the team in just 14 minutes.

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Furthermore, in Simmons’ absence, Brooklyn managed to maintain a scoring rhythm behind Cam Thomas’ 40-points. Interestingly, the two highest assist totals for the Nets this season come with Simmons on the floor, 41 against Utah and 35 against Philadelphia.

Ben Simmons scored 0 points in the game

The Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn earlier announced that Ben Simmons would be under minute restrictions throughout the game. Simmons, known for recurring knee issues, has experienced challenges this season, although a recent MRI showed no structural damage, only swelling. Due to the nature of his injury, the team has been cautious not to exert him unnecessarily.

Despite the restrictions, Simmons has taken the initiative to swiftly move down the floor with the ball, creating numerous open opportunities for his teammates in the last two games. However, in his recent standout performance against his former team, Simmons elevated the concept of being a role player. During his brief time on the court, he contributed with 9 rebounds and 5 assists, all without attempting a shot. Moreover, he did not attempt any free throws as well.

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The intriguing aspect lies in the fact that Nets fans and staff consider it a victory, as the team secured the win, and Simmons had the freedom to operate as he desired on the floor.