/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72286078/1251128124.0.jpg)
Ben Simmons less-than-subtle troll of his former team as they suffered an ignominious defeat in Game 7 of the conference semi-finals is the latest controversy involving the Nets guard.
ICYMI, the troll was a simple Instagram story post of what looked like his living room. No jokes, no comments at all...
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24661854/ben_simmons_instagram.jpg)
A glass of wine, a bottle of water ... and a TV monitor showing the progress of the Celtics-76ers game Sunday. At that point, Simmons former team, the Sixers, were down by 30, 108-78. They ultimately lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, aka the second round, 112-88.
A number of pundits were shocked and yes appalled too at the nerve of the former Sixers player ... whose superstar and (now former) head coach had thrown him under the bus after a similar second round loss two years ago. Simmons of course sat out 2021-22 and after off-season back surgery, was subpar for the Nets this season, shutting down February 15.
Those two ESPN showmen, Kendrick Perkins and Stephen A. Smith, in tweets and video, lambasted Simmons...
Hell he’s been watching games all season long. What else is new https://t.co/zxpZEcqQdL
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 14, 2023
Smith waited till Tuesday, amidst all the controversy surrounding the Philly shakeup, to criticize Simmons for posting the image.
“I tried to give Ben Simmons a chance,” Stephen A. started. “But, he quit on the Sixers as we all know. I personally like him, but I’m ashamed at what he’s been like over the last couple of years. Listen, as much as I got on James Harden and Joel Embiid, at least they put on a damn uniform and actually showed up at an arena and stepped on a basketball court. The nerve. the unmitigated gall of this modern-day Zoolander known as Ben Simmons.”
Zoolander?!? How low can you go?!? Perhaps a reference to a rumor that Simmons has modeling aspirations? Who knows? And of course neither Perkins nor Smith mentioned Simmons history of physical issues, most recently with his back.
Philadelphia fans had their own thoughts ... between calling for Doc Rivers; head and James Harden’s neck. As always, it was restrained...
@stephenasmith It’s impossible and a terribly bad move for Ben Simmons to try and troll the 76ers…. Dude won’t even get off the couch, I mean the bench to shoot his shot….the ONLY THING Ben gets off the couch for is to get his paycheck . Lol. pic.twitter.com/KCZgq6miDU
— Chris Estes (@Chris_Estes1) May 15, 2023
Ben Simmons still a cornball for posting this. You literally been on your bench ass for a year.
— Tori Lahren (@Tori_Philly4) May 15, 2023
Your name ain’t Ben Simmons anymore, it’s Bench Simmons pic.twitter.com/q5lXS8b9qF
Ben Simmons is garbage
— PeaceFire (@InfamousWhoo) May 15, 2023
Phi put the team you were on out
You can’t troll them you ass
Ben10 haters of course aren’t limited to the Philly metro area. This one saw grounds for sending him back to Australia.
Ben Simmons Trolls 76ers After Their Game 7 Loss to Celtics - Sports Illustrated. Since @BenSimmons25 doesn’t actually work (play basketball) shouldn’t his work visa be terminated and send him back to Australia? https://t.co/fzrfs7AJUP
— Chauncey Hitchcock (@ChaunceyHitchc1) May 15, 2023
It’s actually been a good couple of weeks for Simmons. He reportedly won’t need a second back surgery which could have set back his return. He’s been seen working out, not just rehabbing, at the HSS Training Center and it’s increasingly likely that he will be joining the Australian national team at the FIBA World Cup in August.
For Nets fans, it is decidedly not a bad thing that Simmons is in a good place ... in front of his TV laughing at the 76ers. We might done the same.
- Stephen A. Smith calls out Nets’ Ben Simmons for IG post - Sharif Phillips-Keaton - USA Today
- Ben Simmons seemed to enjoy watching 76ers’ crushing Game 7 loss - Andrew Crane - New York Post
Loading comments...