Sixers fans show Simmons how they really feel

The 76ers home opener against the Brooklyn Nets was always going to be about Simmons after the long drawn out saga dominated the off-season.

And even after the Nets claimed a late comeback 114-109 win, all the talk with still about Simmons.

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The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Simmons addressed the 76ers including superstar Joel Embiid and coach Doc Rivers in the side’s changing rooms in a five minute speech, where he said he’s “not mentally ready”.

Embiid reportedly asked why the Aussie wanted a trade and Simmons said he’s “not feeling myself right now”.

Charania said there was no reaction in the room but his teammates quickly got behind him.

It comes after Embiid and Rivers threw Simmons under the bus after the game seven loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Embiid, who has gone between support for Simmons to bitter swipes including the comments like “I don’t care about that guy” earlier this week.

But Simmons message may have got through to Embiid — or he was just trying to downplay the drama publicly — as last season’s MVP runner up addressed the fans before the game.

“I just want to thank you for your support all these years, and then now,” Embiid said. “A lot has happened the last few months, and I urge you guys to continue to support us and our teammate Ben, cause he’s still our brother.”

The words were met by a mix of cheers and boos as Embiid rejoined the Sixers huddle before tip off.

Philly fans are known for their unforgiving passion and it’s clear the fans weren’t happy with the Aussie.

Even on the road in the first match of the season, fans were calling out Simmons.

And it wasn’t just in NBA matches as the Philadelphia Flyers NHL fans screamed “f*** Ben Simmons” while Philadelphia Eagles NFL star Jason Kelce even had words for Simmons.

But the Sixers fans were eager to make their feelings felt as well.

In a pre-match hype video, a short cameo from Simmons was met by a chorus of boos.

Social media was also awash with fans wearing defaced Simmons jerseys that left no ambiguity about their anger.

And after the game some were still clipping Simmons in the loss, even though he wasn’t in the building.

The Bleacher Report’s Tyler Conway wrote: “Ben Simmons may not be with the Sixers physically but he’s clearly there spiritually my god”.

Sporting News’ Micah Adams tweeted: “The 76ers completely choking offensively down the stretch without Ben Simmons feels about right.”

‘We’re way better with Ben’: Teammates back Simmons

Embiid pre-game speech wasn’t all he said on the Simmons matter either.

The superstar centre told ESPN before the game that Simmons’ pre-game speech may help to heal some of the wounds.

“It’s actually helped us a lot the whole situation,” he said. “It’s been a few weeks, a few months that we’ve been dealing with the situation and hopefully everything will be resolved soon but we’re in no rush.

“As a team, we’ve got closer. Especially me, he brought up a point of me trying to become a way better leader than I was in the past. Try to keep the team together and I think we have a good group of guys, humble guys that work hard. As a group out practices have been fun, you saw in the first game we were sharing the ball, I think we love playing with each other.”

Embiid said that he heard Morey’s comments that the saga could drag on for four more years as the Sixers refuse to take less than they believe Simmons is worth.

He said “I think he’s right”, saying first round picks haven’t worked well in the past for Philadelphia

“I still think we’re a way better team with Ben, and I hope he ends up sticking around,” Embiid said.

“We all love him, I love playing with him. As I always say, you can look at the numbers and see how dominant we are in the regular season. Obviously we’ve got to translate that to the post-season and I think we can. All of us, we’ve got to be better. I’ve got to be better, he’s got to be better, Tobias has to be way better, the other guys, Furk, the new guys, we’ve all got to be better.”

Simmons and Embiid have a 144-63 record when they play together.

Embiid added that he wanted to play for a crowd that’s passionate, like the Philly fans.

Fellow senior player Tobias Harris took to Twitter to support Simmons, writing: “And we’ll respect his privacy and space during this time. When he’s ready, we will embrace our brother with love and handle our business on the court. That’s it, that’s all.”

While some fans were replied with incredulity at the comments, former Phoenix Suns star Rex Chapman replied: “This is what’s known as being professional. And a good teammate.”

The comments from his teammates may paid a rosier picture but Simmons has been making plenty of moves off the court.

The 25-year-old is selling his 3000 square foot, $A4.3 million Ritz-Carlton apartment and his $A6.7 million New Jersey mansion.

He was also kicked out of training and suspended, acted disinterested and even skipped a planned individual workout on Thursday due to tightness in his back. ESPN reported he had been cleared of injury by the team doctors.

Former 76ers star and two-time basketball hall of famer Charles Barkley said that the fans speak louder than words and Simmons time in Philly is “over now”.