Ben Simmons’ Nets have perfect response to ruthless booing by 76ers fans

Ben Simmons sat on the bench and nodded his head as 76ers fans welcomed him back to Philadelphia the only way they know how.

Philly fans were in full voice. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets have delivered the perfect response to Ben Simmons ruthless trolling at the hands of Philadelphia 76ers fans on his first trip back to the city.

A loud “f*** Ben Simmons” chant erupted during the game on Friday as the Aussie sat on the bench in street clothes as he continues to work his way back to full physical and mental fitness, but was the centre of attention during the first quarter.

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As Brooklyn jumped out to a 40-23 lead, the angry home crowd turned its sights on its former point guard.

But the Nets had their new player’s back, blowing out the Sixers 129-100. Just for the record, Harden only scored 11 points, six rebounds and five assists, including a shocking three from 17 from the floor, all which were three pointers.

He went 0-from-10 from inside the arc.

For the Nets, Seth Curry hit 24 points against his former team, while Kevin Durant had 25 points, 14 rebounds and Kyrie Irving scored 22 points.

The Nets players were smiling and laughing at the chants, including when Simmons touched a ball that went out of bounds in the fourth quarter.

The Nets were having the time of their lives. Photo: ESPN

Asked about the booing for Simmons after the game, Durant stuck the boot in.

“He already knew we had his back,” he said. “It just felt good to quiet all them down midway through the game. It was very quiet towards the end. We heard no more Ben Simmons chants from the Sixers fans, there were more Nets fans here than anything, so that was good.”

After the match during his press conference, Durant admitted that the Nets were more locked in because of the resception for Simmons.

“We look at Ben as if he’s our brother,” he began. “We knew this was going to be a hostile environment and we knew that he didn’t have an opportunity to play so we wanted to come out and have them focus on the court more than always focusing on him. They focused on the court tonight and it’s hard to chant at Ben Simmons when you’re losing by that much.”

Speaking on TNT, Shaquille O’Neal also said the fact Simmons was on the bench was a good sign.

“It would’ve been a better night if Ben was playing,” O’Neal said on TNT’s pre-game show.

“I give him credit for going out there, I wish he was playing.

“He had to go and I’m glad he’s sitting on the bench.

“If he didn’t, that would’ve told me a lot about him.”

Earlier, Philadelphia fans didn’t even wait for Simmons to arrive at the game to start booing him.

Bloodthirsty 76ers supporters waited outside the hotel the Brooklyn Nets’ were staying at ahead of today’s game in Philly and pounced on the Australian when he walked out to board the team bus.

“Thanks for James,” one yelled, after Simmons was traded to the Nets for James Harden a month ago.

Another fan yelled at Simmons as he went and signed autographs.

“Why the grievance? Why spit in the face of Sixers fans? Why the grievance? Why the grievance Ben?” he said. “We did nothing but support you for five years, you know that.”

Simmons leaving Four Seasons this morning. pic.twitter.com/w90nHQFYI4

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) March 10, 2022

The reception didn’t get any kinder when Simmons entered the stadium, even if he was only going to sit on the bench rather than suit up for his new team.

The crowd mocked him by cheering when, in a pre-game shootaround, Simmons went up for a dunk. The Bronx cheer was because Simmons infamously passed on an open dunk under the rim during last season’s disastrous playoffs loss to Atlanta.

The Sixers started strong. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

It didn’t go unnoticed that during 15 minutes on the floor, Simmons didn’t take a single shot. Perhaps he was terrified of the reaction he’d cop if he missed.

“The loudest boos in pre-game with Ben Simmons warming up with the extra player(s),” sportscaster Howard Eskin tweeted. “Did not take a shot for over 15 mins and then when leaving the floor went to #Sixers end and said hello, not to players but people he knew. Lots of boos.”

The Athletic’s Brooklyn Nets beat writer, Alex Schiffer, said on Twitter: “I did not see Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid acknowledge each other when they were on the court together for pregame warm-ups.”

There was no love lost between Embiid and Simmons during the Aussie’s stand-off with Philadelphia. The Cameroonian All-Star was happy to speak his mind and didn’t paint his former teammate in a positive light during the saga.

The loudest boos in pre game with Ben Simmons warming up with the extra player(s). Did not take a shot for over 15 mins and then when leaving the floor went to #Sixers end and said hello, not To players but people he knew. Lots of boos. ⁦@SportsRadioWIP⁩ pic.twitter.com/BtuZD0zEM8

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) March 11, 2022

where was this against the hawks?!

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 10, 2022

Before the game, the Nets said Simmons is a big boy who doesn’t need his hands held through the boos and jeers.

“He’s a big boy, he’ll be fine and he’s excited to join our team,” coach Steve Nash said. “He wants to be there on the bench with his teammates.”

Simmons requested a trade from Philadelphia after last season, citing mental health issues. After getting dealt last month, he’s still ramping up and yet to practice with the Nets, but has the enduring hatred from the City of Brotherly Love.

“Lovely,” Kyrie Irving predicted for Thursday’s atmosphere.

The Sixers already added a fence by the players’ entrance to the court, and beefed up security to playoff levels according to the Philly Voice.

Ben Simmons and new teammate Kevin Durant. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant has already walked a mile in Simmons’ shoes, making a February 2017 return to a hostile Oklahoma City after leaving the Thunder for Golden State. But he has no intention of talking to Simmons to brace him.

“Absolutely not,” Durant shook his head. “That’s one of those things he’s going to have to experience for himself. … Nobody’s going to hold his hand.

“I’m sure it’s going to be some personal attacks, some words that may trigger you personally, but that’s just how fans are. They’re going to get under our skin. And they’re going to let their voices be heard. Part of the experience of coming to an NBA game is to heckle. Some people don’t even enjoy basketball, their lives are so sh*tty that they get to just aim it at other people. … Ben understands that.”

Durant admitted he’d gotten the chance to shut the OKC fans up with every basket, but Simmons will just have to sit there on the bench and deal with it. But that’s just part of the (highly paid) job.

“Ben doesn’t have that opportunity right now: He’s got to just sit there and just take a bunch of people being childish, throwing insults at his way because he didn’t want to play basketball for them [any] more,” Durant said. “I mean, it’s funny when you look at it in the bigger picture. You see what it really is.

“But that’s just the sport we play. That’s the profession we’re in. We’re out making $40 million a year, you can take that for 48 [minutes], for a couple hours. I’m sure Ben has that approach.”

— with New York Post