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- The Nets whipped the Sixers in Ben Simmons’s return to Philadelphia
- Everyone posted the same photo on social media following the Brooklyn win
- Read more NBA news here
Ben Simmons made his much-awaited return to Philadelphia on Thursday with the Nets visiting the 76ers for the first time since his being traded.
While he didn’t make an appearance on the floor, Simmons’s presence drew the ire of the home fans.
Philly bystanders welcomed the former Sixer with a loud array of boos. A few derogatory chants followed throughout the game despite Simmons never leaving the Brooklyn bench.
Unfortunately for those hometown viewers, they’d get quiet rather quickly.
Philadelphia struggled from the opening tip, with newcomer James Harden playing particularly poorly. Harden shot just 3-for-17 on the evening, totaling 11 points from the field.
When the final bell rang, it was the Nets that were getting the last laugh. Brooklyn left the Wells Fargo Center with a 29-point win and showed that they’re still a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference race.
Star shooters Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant said that the attention aimed at Simmons played a part in the victory.
Kyrie Irving: “We definitely felt like Ben was on our heart… If you come at Ben, you come at us.”
Kevin Durant: “I think all of us look at Ben as our brother. We knew this was a hostile environment. It’s hard to chant at Ben Simmons when you’re losing by that much.” pic.twitter.com/BRtNbzRXeT
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 11, 2022
After the convincing win, everyone watching apparently had the same idea. They all turned to social media to post the same hilarious photo.
Ben Simmons Meme Goes Viral Following Nets Win
It’s known that the relationship between Simmons and his former Sixer teammates was turbulent. He left on bad terms and completely cut ties following the trade.
Once the deal was done, a few Philly players took to social media to bash Simmons on the way his tenure fizzled out. Joel Embiid, in particular, posted his response on Twitter the day of the trade.
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 10, 2022
It was Embiid’s final farewell to someone he considered a bad teammate.
Simmons was standoffish towards Philadelphia players upon arriving to tonight’s game as it appears the two sides haven’t forgotten how things ended in the City of Brotherly Love.
Kevin Durant and James Harden didn’t acknowledge each other in warmups. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid didn’t either.
Give me seven games, please.
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) March 11, 2022
Social media hasn’t forgotten, either. Folks immediately took to Twitter to post the same Ben Simmons photo after the win.
Ben Simmons watching the 76ers lose to his new team. pic.twitter.com/FFwwHFqEHa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 11, 2022
Ben Simmons outside the 76ers locker room after the game like: pic.twitter.com/qQ34vziKf4
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) March 11, 2022
Ben Simmons right now pic.twitter.com/Tr4vuCB7Ma
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 11, 2022
Dear Ben Simmons,
Please set the internet on fire and tweet this meme after the game tonight.
Signed,
Basketball Twitter pic.twitter.com/exjdKZEMe2— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) March 11, 2022
Ben Simmons on the bench like pic.twitter.com/2wDJSMHdJu
— Overtime (@overtime) March 11, 2022
We just need Ben Simmons to tweet this 😭 pic.twitter.com/xrkyuSR9ji
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) March 11, 2022
Simmons and the Nets won the first meeting. We’ll have to see how this rivalry plays out over the remainder of the season.