Ben Simmons copped a hostile response from Philadelphia followers the second he stepped onto the court docket for the primary time because the controversial Australian was traded final month to Brooklyn.
Simmons, who continues to be but to play this season, isn’t lining up for the Nets as a result of a again downside however took to the ground for the warm-ups amid heightened safety at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Heart.
The capability crowd of 20,000 Sixers followers booed him however Simmons appeared relaxed as he mingled together with his teammates as they went by way of their pre-game routines. He was accompanied onto the court docket by his Nets teammate, Boomers veteran PattyMills.
They then began up a “F— Ben Simmons” chant in probably the most indignant receptions any NBA participant has acquired in returning to their former crew.
He additionally obtained an ironic cheer from Sixers followers when he dunked the ball throughout the pre-game.
Simmons was criticised closely throughout his time with the 76ers for not attacking the basket sufficient, culminating in an notorious second in final 12 months’s playoff exit when he handed to a teammate as a substitute of dunking the ball.
Further safety personnel separated from the court docket from followers with a yellow rope to make sure spectators weren’t in a position to enter the enjoying area throughout the warm-ups.
Tickets for the sport are at a premium – courtside seats have gone for $US4000 with higher bowl tickets within the nosebleed part promoting for greater than $200.
(Picture by Elsa/Getty Pictures)
“It might have been a greater evening if Ben was enjoying. I give him credit score for going on the market, I want he was enjoying,” NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal mentioned on TNT.
“I’m glad he went on the market for warm-ups and he’s sitting on the bench. If he didn’t it could have advised me loads about him.”
Nets coach Steve Nash was not bothered by the 76ers followers harassing Simmons.
“I hope he enjoys it,” Nets coach Steve Nash advised reporters beforehand on the crew’s game-day shootaround. “How many individuals get to go in an area and get booed by your complete place? I had it achieved to me and I assumed it was a privilege. So I hope he enjoys the expertise,” he added in reference to his early days at Dallas.
“I feel it is part of the method, simply form of … getting that out of the best way, going again, having everybody see you once more and also you see them. And from then on, every part dissipates recreation by recreation.”
