Why Ben Simmons needs to embrace the hate he’s about to receive in Philly

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Ben Simmons actually shouldn’t count on any concord from a metropolis whose sports activities followers as soon as infamously booed Santa Claus. And that’s completely OK.

The three-time NBA All-Star received’t be in uniform Thursday evening in Philadelphia, however he can be seated on the visiting bench when the Nets go to the Sixers for the primary time for the reason that Feb. 10 commerce that introduced Simmons to Brooklyn because the lead element of their return for dumping James Harden.

Simmons clearly might have remained in New York to proceed rehabbing his balky again and ramping up his conditioning to make his season debut with the Nets, however he made the best name in deciding to face the music and the boobirds in Philly after opting to not swimsuit up for the Sixers this season and requesting a commerce. He later cited psychological well being issues for persevering with to avoid the crew.