Ben Simmons Shares Positive Reflection About Run With 76ers

Ben Simmons reflects on his infamous journey in Philadelphia.
Ben Simmons Shares Positive Reflection About Run With 76ers
Ben Simmons Shares Positive Reflection About Run With 76ers /
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The Ben Simmons era in Philadelphia took an ugly turn following the 2021 NBA Playoffs. 

During a second-round series, where Simmons struggled from an offensive standpoint, the three-time All-Star guard’s value was reaching all-time lows. And at the time, Simmons decided his run in Philadelphia should be concluded.

Sitting back for months waiting to be traded as he requested, Simmons remained on the Sixers’ roster when training camp rolled around in 2021. After being considered a no-show for the first few sessions, Simmons made his way back to Philly during the preseason. His time back was more of a distraction than anything, and he even received a one-game suspension before telling the team he wasn’t mentally ready to return to the court and play.

The 76ers went through half the 2021-2022 NBA season with Simmons on the roster while remaining off the floor. Eventually, the trade saga settled when the Brooklyn Nets agreed to trade away James Harden and Paul Millsap in exchange for Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and draft picks.

Although Simmons had a lot of great moments in Philadelphia, his final months with the team damaged his reputation in the City of Brotherly Love. However, the Nets’ guard doesn’t seem to hold ill-will towards his former fans and organization.

During a sit-down with Andscape’s Marc Spears, Simmons reflected on the days he played for Philadelphia. To many fans’ surprise, the three-time All-Star remains fond of Philly.

“I had a lot of fun there. It was time for me to go. When I did leave, it was good timing. Obviously, the injury and everything that was going on didn’t help. But I think it gave me a chance to really appreciate it. I’ll always have love for Philly. People always ask me like, ‘If you were to get traded again where you want it to be?’ I always say, ‘Just Philly. Philly is a second home to me.’ And in time, you learn and grow as people. I don’t really have anything bad to say about Philly. It was a crazy situation at the end, but it is what it is.”

When Simmons entered the NBA in 2016, he was the first overall pick out of LSU. When the Sixers netted the first-overall selection through the lottery for the first time since the late 90s, many assumed Simmons would be the face of the franchise for years to come, as he was set to join forces with the former third-overall pick, Joel Embiid.

Despite having his true rookie season pushed back due to a foot injury, Simmons’ debut run didn’t disappoint. As a rookie, he averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, earning Rookie of the Year honors before helping the Sixers navigate through their first playoff run.

For the next three seasons, Simmons would serve as Philadelphia’s starting point guard. He was named an All-Star during each season and earned All-Defensive First Team honors in 2020 and 2021. During his final regular season run with the Sixers, Simmons was a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. 

Admittedly, Simmons struggled during the 2021 playoffs. In 12 games, he averaged a postseason career-low of 12 points while struggling from the free throw line, draining just 34 percent of his foul shots. After the Sixers dropped Game 7 against the fifth-seeded Hawks as the number one seed, Simmons declared his time with the organization over.

These days, Simmons is a member of the Brooklyn Nets, but his time on the 76ers’ rival has been tough so far. Last season, Simmons’ Brooklyn debut lasted 42 games. He came off the bench for nine games and averaged a career-low seven points per game while coming down with six rebounds and dishing out six assists. Midway through the year, a knee and back injury forced Simmons off the court. He was not a part of Brooklyn’s playoff run.

The Nets remain hopeful that Simmons will return to action looking like the Philadelphia version of himself. Meanwhile, the Sixers will navigate through another standoff two years later as they deal with a disgruntled James Harden. 


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA