Controversial NBA player Ben Simmons finally arrives in Brooklyn and is seen interacting with his Nets teammates in the dugout.
One of the most talked about NBA players until late, Ben Simmons made his first public court appearance at Barclays Center. From the looks of it, the former ROTY could suit up for the Nets soon. Simmons has been making headlines since the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals.
The 25-year-old was heavily criticized for his performance in the playoffs, with his partner Joel Embid and coach Doc Rivers publicly expressing his doubts about his potential as a Sixers shooting guard. What happened next was that Simmons and the Philadelphia organization refused to be on the same page.
The Australian native was in no mood to return to the Sixers despite several attempts being made by the organization, including his former teammates wanting to fly in and talk to him. Simmons refused to be a part of any Sixers practices or games and received heavy fines.
Also read: “As much as he knows he wants to play, LaVine has to take care of his body.”
Simmons wouldn’t budge an inch from his stance, and Sixers president Daryl Morey finally made a deal with the Nets before the trade deadline.
Ben Simmons makes his first public appearance in the 2021-22 NBA season.
A recent trade between the Nets and Sixers finally gave Simmons what he wanted. The 6″10′ point guard found a new home playing alongside Kevin Durant Y Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. The NBA Twitter was abuzz with reactions, seeing the three-time All-Star in Nets gear.
in the building 👀 pic.twitter.com/KCpan6vzfj
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2022
Ben Simmons in the building supporting his new team 👀 pic.twitter.com/9EN5yq0Zw2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 15, 2022
Ben Simmons is all smiles in Brooklyn 😃 pic.twitter.com/AnAxY1zdA2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 15, 2022
Ben Simmons in Nets gear… pic.twitter.com/RtfUBFawlG
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) February 14, 2022
Simmons seemed happy to be in Brooklyn as he cheered on his team. However, a section of the media criticized the former Sixers player for using his sanity to not play until now.
See tweets that Ben Simmons will be joining the Nets on their Miami road trip tomorrow. He claimed that mental illness was the reason he wasn’t playing, but he was miraculously cured the moment he was traded. What a middle finger for those who are really struggling with mental health.
—David Grzybowski (@DavidGrzyTV) February 11, 2022
So far the mental illness of Ben Simmons. It’s amazing how well he was once he was traded. Insult those who really suffer. pic.twitter.com/EpZDivvTIC
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) February 14, 2022
More people need to focus on this. IF Ben Simmons pulled the mental health card without having any real issues, that’s an absolute disgrace. Especially those with mental health problems. https://t.co/SSEHrE7Ul4
— Smitty (@SmittyBarstool) February 11, 2022
Ben Simmons isn’t even worth talking about right now. What happened to his mental health hoax is obvious to all but the fakers and to do it in a city where Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson engaged in a serious conversation on the subject is sad. #nba #NFL
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) February 14, 2022
With Simmons starting a new chapter in Brooklyn, the scars of the past continue to follow him, keeping him under the radar.
