Philadelphia 76ers are preparing to face the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night. Doc Rivers was called upon to discuss Ben Simmons coming to Philly for the first time since the trade to Brooklyn.
The Sixers head coach believes Simmons deserves a tribute video. Simmon is not expected to be active, but he will be sitting on the Nets’ bench.
“Ben did a lot of good things here. It didn’t end well, right? Just like marriages and all kinds of other things don’t end well, right? Ben did a lot of good things here,” Rivers said.
Nets G Ben Simmons deserves a tribute video on Thursday 76ers coach Doc Rivers tells @BallySports. pic.twitter.com/2VYHQTJian — 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) March 8, 2022
As Rivers rightfully claimed, the marriage between Simmons and the 76ers fell apart over the past year. Simmons eventually became the main part that brought James Harden to Philadelphia at the trade deadline.
Before the trade, the three-time All-Star had not played for his team since last year’s playoffs.
During his time with the 76ers, Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
However, his performances in the 2021 postseason were met with a great amount of criticism due to his unwillingness to attack the rim or shoot the ball.
Simmons refused to report to training camp before the start of the 2021-22 regular season. The 76ers did not announce if they will welcome Simmons with a tribute video.
The Nets have not cleared Simmons for action due to back issues during his recovery from his long hiatus away from basketball.
“I think he’s progressing this week, but I don’t know what that means as far as Saturday. So he’ll see us [Wednesday] in Philly. I don’t think he’s ready for 5-on-5 basketball but he’s improving, working out, and he’ll join us in Philly, and a few good days of rehab,” Nash said.
Before the game against Philly, Brooklyn needs to be focused on an important matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Nets come into Tuesday’s game with a 32-33 record, tied with the Hornets for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. They lost 17 of their last 20 games.
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