It’s been three years since the Philadelphia 76ers moved on from Ben Simmons. Since then, Simmons hasn’t really been an issue for the Sixers during his time with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.
However, that could change if the former Sixers star joins perhaps the team’s biggest rival, the Boston Celtics. There’s been speculation that Simmons could join the Celtics this offseason, and FanSided’s Nicholas Kyle Spring explained why Simmons joining Boston is possible, and why that would be a problem.
“Simmons, who is basically a near-guarantee to leave the Clippers after being a relative no-show in the playoffs, could definitely be a plausible addition to the Celtics,” Spring wrote. “After all, Boston will benefit from his defensive utility and playmaking, especially as a nominal center.
“If so, the sight of Simmons in Boston will definitely irk a lot of 76ers fans. It could perhaps evoke some dormant feelings of bitterness, although at this point, can anyone really blame the fans from Philly for being susceptible to quick triggers?”
Sixers fans already have a big enough grudge against Simmons, as he notoriously came up short for them in the playoffs multiple times. The trade drama the team went through with him only made it worse, as the fanbase now considers him infamous.
The Celtics have had plenty more playoff success than the Sixers have over the past decade. If Simmons joins them and thrives with them in the playoffs, that would only rub salt on the wound. At the same time, Simmons’ reputation for being a playoff dropper could potentially sink the Celtics’ ship, which would be good news for the Sixers’ fanbase.
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