One former teammate does not think Ben Simmons wants any of the smoke.
Philadelphia 76ers swingman Danny Green offered some wide-ranging thoughts on the Brooklyn Nets star Simmons this week on the “Inside the Green Room” podcast. During the episode, Green said he expects Simmons to sit out the upcoming Nets-Sixers game in Philadelphia on March 10.
“I’d be highly surprised if he even plays in that game,” he said of Simmons, per Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice. “I don’t know where his health is mentally, physically. I know he had other issues, and we all know he does not like to play in Philly. If he does play in that game, I’d be highly surprised. But say that does happen, I see it as being a very hectic, playoff-like atmosphere and environment to where it may be very rough for him.”
Green did add that he has no ill will towards Simmons and was willing to let bygones be bygones. But Green also said it would be up to Simmons whether or not they would shake hands after the March 10 game, if Simmons plays.
“But it all depends on how that game goes, how he interacts in that game, how well he plays or how cleanly or non-cleanly he or us plays against each other, is going to determine how we shake hands,” Green continued. “But I highly doubt he plays in that game, and if he does, I highly doubt he wants to shake hands before or after that game.”
Simmons, who was finally traded by the Sixers to the Nets on Feb. 10, still has not suited up for his new team. But there are signs he is getting close, and Brooklyn still has another seven games before facing Philadelphia.
It would be pretty soft for Simmons to purposefully duck his former team and the inevitable boos that will come with his return to Philly. But maybe that was to be expected with the way that Simmons torpedoed all of his bridges before leaving the Sixers. Simmons’ former co-star Joel Embiid recently spoke critically about him, and even Green himself previously indicated that he did not care for Simmons’ behavior.
Photo: Jan 30, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) talks to fans before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
