However, he was present on the Nets’ bench, ready to hear it from the raucous 76ers fan base who felt he could’ve made his exit from the city of brotherly love a little smoother.
Ahead of Thursday’s contest, Nets head coach Steve Nash said Simmons wanted to be on the sidelines with his new Nets teammates, ready to hear it from Philly faithful.
MORE: Does Simmons deserve a tribute video in Philadelphia?
“It is what it is. He’s a big boy. He’ll be fine,” Nash said on Tuesday about Simmons’ return. “He wants to be there on the bench with his teammates.”
Simmons’ fall from 76ers’ franchise cornerstone to an absent teammate and marquee trade piece escalated quickly ever since Philadelphia was eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.
MORE: How Simmons went from No. 1 pick to Philly’s biggest enemy
After being traded for James Harden in a blockbuster deal at the deadline, there is no love lost between Simmons and his former team’s fans.
How loud were the boos and jeers for Simmons in his return to the Wells Fargo Center? See for yourself below.
