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[Saba Sports News] Philadelphia might have a reason to reconsider their feelings about one of their most polarizing former players.
Appearing on *The Old Man and The Three* podcast this week, Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons reflected on his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers. To the surprise of many, Simmons had high praise for the often-criticized Philly fanbase.
“The fans, for instance—I didn’t appreciate the fans enough,” Simmons admitted. “The fans in Philadelphia are incredible. You always want to play for a team with a good fanbase. Whether they’re booing or cheering, you just want fans to care. You want the arena packed.”
It’s a surprisingly gracious take from Simmons, especially considering the contentious relationship he had with 76ers fans during his time there. Drafted first overall by Philadelphia in 2016, Simmons became a three-time All-Star and earned an All-NBA nod.
However, his infamous decision to pass up an open dunk in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks sparked intense backlash. Simmons ultimately refused to play for the Sixers again, leading to a trade to Brooklyn in 2022.
At the height of the drama, reports suggested that Philadelphia fans were a significant factor in Simmons’ desire to leave, and they certainly didn’t hold back their criticism.
From relentless boos to profane messages, Simmons faced a wave of hostility. Even as recently as last year, tensions between Simmons and 76ers fans were still running high.
Whether Simmons’ comments signal genuine reconciliation or a calculated move to improve his public image as he approaches free agency this summer is unclear. Either way, his words add an intriguing layer to one of the NBA’s most turbulent player-fan relationships.