Ben Simmons’ social media activity reveals real feelings about Philadelphia exit

The 76ers are out of the NBA Playoffs with James Harden called out for a disastrous performance, and Ben Simmons couldn’t help but gloat.

Ben Simmons' like history on Twitter.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been bounced from the NBA playoffs after succumbing to a bruising nine point loss to Miami at home.

And former Sixers star Ben Simmons made his feelings about the exit known on social media, without even writing a word.

With so much anticipation surrounding the All-star duo of James Harden and Joel Embiid, the Sixers’ brutal exit from the NBA playoffs drew a variety of strong reactions from the NBA world.

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Among those to weigh in was former Sixer Ben Simmons, although he did not actually write anything.

Rather, some eagle-eyed fans spotted interesting activity on Simmons’ like history on Twitter.

The Australian liked two tweets, both of which were critical of Harden and the Simmons trade.

“If washed and out of shape James Harden is giving the 76ers 30 pt playoff games they won the ben Simmons trade lmao,” one read.

The other, from prominent media personality Skip Bayless, read: “James Harden typically no-showed in the second half of this closeout game. Now he’s mostly just another Jim Harden. Ben Simmons eventually will make this trade look so phoolish for Philly”.

Ben Simmons made his thoughts known in the likes section.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was also scathing in his assessment of the 76ers’ performance, levelling the majority of the blame at James Harden.

“The Heat were the better team, but it was a deplorable performance from the 76ers,” he said.

“That performance from James Harden requires an investigation, how do you play 22 minutes in the second half and attempt one shot?! That was an anemic and impotent performance from James Harden!”

“The effort is what we’re looking for from everybody – what did we see from James Harden tonight?

“When you’re a three or four time scoring champion and you literally attempt one shot over 20-22 minutes in an entire second half… that is egregious that is horrible!”

“I smell something (at Philadelphia) and it don’t smell right.”

James Harden was called out for his Game 6 performance.

Fellow NBA analyst Jalen Rose, meanwhile, accused the 76ers of laying down.

“I can’t believe Philly quit like that. The Sixers quit,” he said.

The night was brutal for 76ers fans from start to finish, with guard Danny Green escorted from the court early after an injury, and former Sixer Jimmy Butler punishing his former side with 32 points.

Poor defensive application from the 76ers, evident in the lopsided rebound count in favour of Miami (49 to 36) had the Wells Fargo Arena venting in anger.

Some 76ers fans even exited the Wells Fargo Arena with seven minutes still remaining in the fourth quarter.

Here is how the NBA world reacted.

I feel bad for @JoelEmbiid. People will judge him on this series & forget how good he was until he broke his thumb & his face. He was out there battling but clearly couldn’t even hold the ball. @Sixers had to make Harden deal with #Simmons quitting but he didn’t show up 🤷🏾‍♂️

— Bill Anderson (@BillAFox29) May 13, 2022

We will learn whether the 76ers fall into the trap of extending Harden to a lucrative contract based on what he accomplished in the past rather than his current and future play.

Or perhaps they meet somewhere in the middle. https://t.co/HgVOD51mVi

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 13, 2022

James Harden shooting two shots in the 2nd half of an elimination game when your best player is playing mad hurt is nasty business.

— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) May 13, 2022

Ben Simmons, 4th quarter of ECSF Game 7 vs. Hawks:

0 points on 0% shooting, eliminated

James Harden, 4th quarter of ECSF Game 6 vs. Heat:

0 points on 0% shooting, eliminated

— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) May 13, 2022

James Harden's next 5 salaries should he exercise his $47.3M option (likely), and the #76ers offer him a 4 year maximum extension (unlikely).

22-23: $47,366,760
23-24: $49,735,098
24-25: $53,713,906
25-26: $57,692,714
26-27: $61,671,522

Total: 5 years, $270,180,000

— Spotrac (@spotrac) May 13, 2022

James Harden should be in desperate need to find a way to fix his game and his dedication to a sport that has made him a very wealthy man. That 2nd half performance was pathetic. 2 shots and his GM thinks he is the best scorer ever! He Quit and it’s sad! #NBAPlayoffs2022

— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) May 13, 2022

This is the first time in James Harden's career that he played 40+ minutes in any game and did not attempt a free throw. @ESPNStatsInfo

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 13, 2022

Having defended him many times, can’t tonight. In a crucial game James Harden takes just two shots and fails to score a single point in the second half, and posts just 11 points overall. Incredible.

— Jerome Solomon (@JeromeSolomon) May 13, 2022

James Harden to the Lakers is inevitable this offseason.

— Greg Williams (@GregWilliams28) May 13, 2022

If James Harden opts in to his $47.367M player option, the only player in the league who will make more than him next season is Steph Curry ($48.070M)

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) May 13, 2022

Just a few months ago they said James Harden was the most dangerous scorer in NBA history more than Kobe and MJ mannnn knock it off dude took 2 shots in the second half of a game 6 and was never seen again 🤦🏾‍♂️

— Rashaun Will (@RashaunWill) May 13, 2022

Originally published as Ben Simmons’ social media activity reveals real feelings about Philadelphia exit