On Tuesday Ben Simmons is set to return to play in Philadelphia for the first time since getting traded to the Nets from the 76ers last season.
The 26-year-old spent the first four years of his NBA career there before being sent to Brooklyn. Coincidentally, ahead of the highly anticipated return to Philadelphia, Simmons played his best game so far this season.
The former number one draft pick scored season-high 22 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 5 assists in 35 minutes of play.
Simmons expects to get a hostile environment playing against his former team, but say that he is ready for what is coming.
Via Tim Bontemps of ESPN:
“In Philly?” Simmons said, drawing more laughs. “I know what’s coming. That’s part of the game. Philly fans, one thing about Philly fans is they are incredible. They are die-hard Philly and they are everything Philly, whatever it is. I respect that about the city. It’s a sports town.”
This season Simmons is averaging 7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 27.8 minutes per game.
