Doc Rivers believes that Ben Simmons should receive a tribute video from the Philadelphia 76ers
Doc Rivers fist-bumping Ben Simmons
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers will go head-to-head on Thursday. This will be the first time they'll face each other since the blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to the Sixers and Ben Simmons to the Nets. The best part of it all? The game will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in front of a sold-out Philly crowd.
Aside from the final score, the biggest takeaway from Thursday’s game will be how Sixers fans react towards Simmons, who is reportedly expected to be present on the Nets’ bench. Will he receive a loud sound of boos from the Sixers crowd or warm applause for all his contributions throughout the past years despite the ugly divorce?
For Sixers head coach Doc Rivers, he hopes a tribute video is released for their former All-Star. Rivers believes that the former Sixer did many good things for the city of Philadelphia, and that shouldn't be forgotten.
“Ben did a lot of good things here. It didn’t end well, just like marriages and all kinds of other things. Ben still did a lot of good things here, and I don’t know if we (Sixers) release a tribute video or not, but I’d have no issues with it,”
Doc Rivers, Twitter
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To boo or not to boo
Rivers, who joked about the Sixers crowd, saying they’re pretty silent, does not know what to expect from the audience on Thursday. However, it won’t be a surprise if the blue and white crowd makes sure to let Simmons hear all their hatred towards him.
After all, the Klutch client did give up on his team and co-All-Star Joel Embiid. So, it makes sense Sixers fans would hold a grudge against him. Nevertheless, at least so far, it’s looking like the Sixers won the Simmons-Harden trade with how scary good the Sixers have looked.
Should the Sixers release a tribute video?
In the NBA, tribute videos are typically done as a sign of respect and gratitude towards a player who significantly impacted a certain team. The 6-11 point guard can make a case for why he does and does not deserve a tribute video.
Simmons deserves a gratitude video because, just like what Rivers said, he did do good things for Philadelphia during his four-year stay. He led them to multiple playoff appearances and successful regular season finishes.
However, Sixers fans can also point out that all of the so-called “good things” did not result in a championship at the end of the day. And the ugly divorce between both parties did nothing but ruin their relationship even more.
So, it’ll be interesting to see what happens on Thursday night, when Simmons sits on the opposite side of the Sixers bench at the Wells Fargo Center for the first time.
