Ben Simmons loved playing in front of the Philadelphia crowd

Ben Simmons only played 14 minutes, but he got a massive reaction from the Philly faithful.

© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Simmons played his third game in Wells Fargo Center as a visitor, posting a stat line of nine rebounds and five assists without a shot attempt. Despite his lack of aggression, Ben was superb on the court because the Nets’ offense looked cohesive with his playmaking.

Philadelphia 76ers fans booed when Ben checked into the game with seven minutes left in the first quarter. The jeers did not stop for the rest of the game because the Sixers fans were faithful every time the former number-one overall pick touched the ball.

Philly boos Ben Simmons 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/UH8rhi1Zmg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 4, 2024

“This was my second or third time back, so it’s a little different now. It’s funny to me. I got grown men pissed off and yelling at me. Going home and getting the win. For me, I’m all about winning. We do our job and get to go home. It’s fun, I enjoy that. It’s not that deep, it’s sports, and it comes with it. I enjoyed it,” Ben told the media about his return to Philly.

Philly has not moved on from Ben

Simmons’ association with the 76ers ended when the organization traded him to the Nets in 2022. The relationship soured when Ben hesitated to shoot a layup over a smaller Trae Young in Game 7 of the semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks.

Joel Embiid and head coach Doc Rivers were displeased with that play. It felt like Ben got thrown under the bus, but Philly fans echoed their sentiments.

To this day, the Philly faithful are not fans of Simmons, even if the Aussie playmaker has moved on from it a long time ago. The 76ers broadcast was even involved, as they were not calling Ben by his name but by his jersey number.

It’s sort of embarrassing that the Sixers broadcasters are referring to Ben Simmons just as “Number 10”

— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) February 3, 2024

Ben will continue to play for the Nets

After almost three months of dealing with a nerve impingement in his lower back, Ben is back and playing for the Nets. It is a fantastic development for Brooklyn, especially when the team needs a legitimate playmaker.

Simmons is still on a minutes restriction, but Coach Jacque Vaughn is ecstatic with how well the Nets play whenever the three-time All-Star is on the floor. The same goes for teammate Lonnie Walker IV, who always supports and defends Ben from harsh criticism.

As long as Ben stays healthy as the Nets’ best playmaker, the future is bright for him and the organization.

Cam Thomas leads the Nets in a blowout win against the 76ers