NBA fans ruthlessly troll Ben Simmons at first 76ers game

Ben Simmons was nowhere to be seen in the 76ers’ NBA season-opener but it didn’t stop ruthless opposition fans from taking aim.

Ben Simmons Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP

Ben Simmons wasn’t on the court but that didn’t mean he wasn’t the centre of attention for New Orleans fans on Thursday.

The Aussie NBA star was suspended for Philadelphia’s season-opener against the Pelicans after being sent home from practice earlier in the week for refusing to take part in drills as he continues to mope about not being traded.

But the lack of Simmons on the floor didn’t stop the 76ers from running away with a 117-97 win to open the season.

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Simmons’ relationship with the 76ers has gone beyond breaking point and Pelicans supporters were only too happy to make sure Philly stars knew about it.

“Where’s Ben Simmons?” they chanted throughout the game.

When Joel Embiid stepped up to the free-throw line, New Orleans fans changed things up and went with “we want Simmons”, mocking his notoriously poor conversion rate from the charity stripe.

Pels fans really broke out the 'where's Ben Simmons' chant. 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/NBoVWfOBXi

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) October 21, 2021

And the hatred was so palpable from Philly sports fans that in the NHL match between the Flyers and Boston Bruins, fans were chanting “f*** Ben Simmons”.

But despite the taunts, some of the Sixers less hyped players stood up in the 20-point victory.

Joel Embiid did as expected with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes, having burst out of the blocks with 12 points, three boards and four assists in his first 9 minutes.

Fox Sports presenter Skip Bayless tweeted: “Early on, Joel Embiid is making a loud statement in Sixers opener at New Orleans: HELL WITH BEN SIMMONS. 12 points, 3 boards, 4 assists in his first 9 minutes. Joel has put himself on the hot seat by blasting Simmons again and again. So far he’s backing it up.”

🔥 Joel Embiid playing like he doesn’t need Ben Simmons #JoelEmbiid

pic.twitter.com/GuwkOl94pm

— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) October 21, 2021

Embiid wasn't alone though as Furkan Korkmaz scored 22 points as well, while Tobias Harris scored 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Simmons point guard replacement Tyrese Maxey also hit 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Joel Embiid starred yet again. Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

ABC sports anchor Logan Reever tweeted that Maxey looked to be a winner.

“May not seem like many winners in this Ben Simmons scenario. But Tyrese Maxey is definitely one. Doesn’t need to be ball dominant to score in bunches. Oh and he actually shoots. So that’s cool,” he tweeted.

Speaking to NBC after the game, Embiid said he’d been wanting to just talk about basketball despite all the Simmons drama surrounding the team.

Asked about the team’s depth, Embiid said “it’s going to be huge”.

“Obviously you don’t want me playing 38 minutes a night, you want to limit as much as you can so it’s nice to have the bench unit come out there and do their thing,” he said.

“As you saw tonight, Andre, George, Furk, Maxey was in there with them, they were all great and we’ll need that all season.”

While Embiid seemed eager to avoid speaking about Simmons, the fans had no problem getting their feelings out, taking swipe after swipe at the Aussie.

Maybe stay off Twitter Ben. Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP

The Painted Line NBA reporter Austin Krell joked: “Sixers are 0/3 at the FT line. They’ve talked about welcoming Ben Simmons back, but I didn’t think they meant it that way.”

Philadelphia Inquirer Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey said on the Simmons chants, “Something tells me the Sixers are going to hear this a lot.”

Duke college basketball star Mike Buckmire wrote: “With or without Simmons, Sixers got a lot of talent on the floor. Something to hold on to during the chaos.”

LDN sportswriter Pat Huggins tweeted: “Sixers are undefeated since Ben Simmons got thrown out of practice.”

Why would you add a chump like Ben Simmons to this team?

— Ced® (@cedfunches) October 21, 2021

I have no reason to but I hate Ben Simmons

— Chaps (@UncleChaps) October 21, 2021