All eyes will be on Philadelphia on Thursday night when Ben Simmons and the Nets take on James Harden and the 76ers, exactly one month to the day after the megadeal between the teams.
In fact, there will actually be extra eyes on South Philly.
According to a report from Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice, the security detail for Thursday’s game has been described as “playoff-level” due to a number of different factors, including an increased celebrity presence and a larger media showing, and Simmons being on the bench is certainly a factor as well.
Simmons will not play in the game as he continues his conditioning, but he will be on the bench, and you can bet that he’ll hear more than an earful from the Philadelphia fans following his fall from grace with the franchise.
But Simmons being on the bench could be more than the three-time All-Star simply showing face. Per Neubeck, it’s been “floated in league circles” that having Simmons on the bench could be a launching point for his soon-to-be-filed grievance against the Sixers, as Simmons was fined at least $19 million by the team for refusing to play this season, citing mental health issues as his reasoning for sitting out.
According to PhillyVoice, seeing the way the fans react to Simmons could allow his agency, Klutch Sports, to show exactly why Simmons was unable to continue playing for the franchise.
The 25-year-old Simmons did not suit up at all for the Sixers this season after the former No. 1 overall pick was somewhat criticized by head coach Doc Rivers following Philadelphia’s playoff series loss to the Atlanta Hawks last year, with Rivers saying “I don’t know how to answer that” when asked if Simmons could be the point guard of a championship team.
Simmons has not yet suited up for the Nets as he’s been dealing with back stiffness that’s delayed his ability to get on the practice floor.
Harden, meanwhile, has played five games as a Sixer, averaging 24.6 points, 12.4 assists, and 7.6 rebounds, and the Sixers are 5-0 in those games.
