Stephen A.: Ben Simmons has OFFENDED Philadelphia fans! | First Take

Stephen A.: Ben Simmons has OFFENDED Philadelphia fans! | First Take
Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams discuss what reception Ben Simmons should expect in his return to Philly since his trade from the 76ers.
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[@Chris_Kicks_]

That’s why Allen Iverson was loved in Philly, hardworking and blue collar. All heart 💯

[@Whips383]

Iverson the sixers goat

[@dthreezy]

Practice?? We talking bout practice?

[@corytennant1517]

"hard working" no just naturally a dawg he didn't even practice but balled no matter what.

[@phlbnr]

@@Whips383 nah that's The Doctor. AI is #2 though.

[@Chris_Kicks_]

😂 practice!!!! 😆 yea that’s so true

[@nothingspecial8114]

Idk if you guys may have known or heard but Stephen A worked for the Philadelphia Inquiry for 17 YEARS

[@unbiasedjisoostan3716]

I've heard that as much times as I heard Skip witnessing Jordan's 1998 Last Dance Season.

[@ericjohnson-greer9687]

You may have also heard that KD has a 7 foot wingspan, can pull up from 40, and can average 30!

[@appreciatealltheplayers481]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 a

[@ike.o6944]

@@unbiasedjisoostan3716 lmaooooo

[@unbiasedjisoostan3716]

@@ericjohnson-greer9687 not 30 bro. Its 'TTTTHHARTY!'

[@geoffwittenberg93]

Disagree with Stephen A a lot but as a native Philadelphian I admit he's spot on here.

[@TheOGway]

First time in a long time he on point

[@lances25]

Lmao! Philadelphian!?!?!?!?!? YOUR NOT FROM PHILLY! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@adamperkins8162]

Spot on!!!

[@CappenKrunch]

@@lances25 he from the white part maybe

[@gorillasquadelite]

Ben Simmons is a baby

[@corpyhogan4433]

Ben Simmons should just go ahead and get this game out-of-the-way. LeBron couldn’t run from Cleveland when he went to Miami and just like KD couldn’t run from OKC when he went to Golden State. Only difference is both of those guys went back to their former homes and dominated, it seems like Ben doesn’t even want to try

[@melvynwindmon1927]

same with kawhi and spurs and kyrie and boston

[@corpyhogan4433]

@@melvynwindmon1927 yep. Simmons just need to go ahead and stop hiding

[@NeilTruick]

That's not the only difference. LeBron never blamed the fans for not being able to win a title. KD never blamed the fans for not being able to be the best player on his team. Ben Simmons cited the fans as the reason he was never going to set foot in that arena again, and, if he's smart, he will keep his word until he can show up in an opposing uniform. Bottom line: Simmons and his agent are trying to file a lawsuit to get back the $20 million the Sixers withheld because he didn't comply with his contract. The reason: Hostile work environment. "Mr. Softee" is the perfect description for him.

[@micah.1009]

Lebron embraced the Villain role and it was about the gm not putting any help around him . Ben is just underperforming and left so it should be worse

[@corpyhogan4433]

@@NeilTruick Another good point!

[@YKSupe]

Nobody could’ve articulated that better than Stephen A😭💯 Sometimes he can be annoying & sometimes he can be wrong, but today I’m smiling from ear to ear 👂🏾 because he is spot on & this game is going to be crazy😂💯🥂

[@doesntmatter6453]

"From infants to Grandmas" 😭💀

[@asiaroberson3442]

@@doesntmatter6453 I'm weak 🤣 😭 😂

[@livefree316]

Stephen a simp. Needs Jesus to fix his leftist limp. JESUS IS THE TRUE KING!

[@ziongaus8796]

It was crazy alright

[@YKSupe]

Definitely crazy Harden did the Harden 😂💯

[@freddygaulman5493]

Nets fans think Ben missing games next week will prove he was telling the truth but we all know that's just to cover up his BS

[@phlbnr]

What's he gonna play like 8-9 games? Hahaha

[@miekgg]

@@phlbnr then straight to playoffs, and kyrie is barely playing too, and KD just came back, joe harris is out for the szn, it’s a mess in brooklyn.

[@llLeezy]

@@miekgg lol.

[@jon5080]

@@miekgg na it's a mess in Philly after that beating 76ers took from the Nets 🤣

[@Itsjustlikemagic]

Imagine getting paid over $30 million a year plus all expenses paid on trips to not even needing to play any games. Ben Simmons is living that American Dream!

[@MrKeysjimmy]

Well u might not be aware but as of Feb he had been paid 8mil ,the rest was taken in fines

[@12savage68]

@@MrKeysjimmy 8 mil in a few months for nothing is still the American dream...

[@miltonmccarroll5430]

Can't make that type of money doing nothing else' 30 million for nonsense

[@SalesRizzAcademy]

And he's Australian!! Lol

[@azwanazmi1484]

He got free front row seats to watch his new team smash his old team.

[@Mikeee14]

This man said from infants to grandmas lmao 🤣

[@dripbeast7914]

Bul funny asl

[@SkyGW]

He really said Infants and Grandmas are disguted with Simmons lmao!

[@therealcommenter2790]

From infants👶🏻to grandma’s👵🏻😂😂😂😂😂

[@J-CARPG]

IMO Ben should lace up and face the smoke the same way Lebron did back in 2010

[@REMOV28]

Even KD laced up against OKC. This man is weakness personified

[@hansiseymour3767]

Even kyrie laced up in Boston

[@gaythugsmatter7029]

He’s too beta for that. Without his genetics for basketball he’d probably be a cross dresser

[@orasama6258]

The problem is Ben is built like a lil girl and bron is built like a grown man

[@savage9436]

Ben is too soft for that

[@calebbraswell9109]

I haven’t watched this segment yet but I’m guessing Stephen A is going to bring up how he worked in Philly for 15 years and knows the city so well😂

[@Akerzun]

Correct

[@calebbraswell9109]

@@Akerzun lol ya I saw. not surprising at all😂

[@KM-iz6sg]

Correction, 17 years but close! 😂🤣

[@mr_w_9647]

I just looked at your profile picture and I haven’t read your comment yet. But I’m guessing that you guessed that Stephen A is going to bring up how he worked in Philly for 15 years, and knows the city so well?

[@jordan12118]

Stephen A was in his bag in this Segment 🤣🤣

[@bubberz]

As a Sixers fan. It's imperative that we get this win tonight on top of the Ben Simmons return. You know how happy he'd be if we put all the effort into him and came out with an L? And he didn't even play!? Yeesh. Win tonight Philly!

[@carsonwentz8301]

He will help the nets lose if he plays

[@bubberz]

@@carsonwentz8301 .. hahaha.. the nerve of Carson Wentz 😆

[@ACT1O1]

dont matter, Embid and Harden is not enough to win a Championship this season.

[@lo8627]

lose by 29🤭

[@bubberz]

@@lo8627 yeah.. I know. Thanks Marc Louie Van Pelt 🙄

[@keonwells7212]

I’m from philly and live here trust Ben can’t even imagine how he’s gonna get cooked tonight lol . Like ppl are goin to go to jail because of the Ben harassment lol

[@jfo1541]

I might go to jail

[@brother-dre]

@@jfo1541 lol

[@KM-iz6sg]

@@jfo1541 You were probably headed there anyway!

[@spaceghost4628]

If I was Ben Simmons I would surprise the world and run out the tunnel suited up talking CRAZY!!! Dunking on n*ggas, throwing up gang signs like “F*ck EVERYBODY!” LOL IM BAAAAACK!!!

[@danweismuller9742]

No, no you wouldn’t

[@solojay4969]

This feels like a pay-per-view fight😅🔥🤣🤣

[@Terror832]

I hope the rowdy Philly crowd give him a worse time than what LeBron got in 2010, KD got in 2016, or even Vince Carter back in 2005 I wanna hear chants like “f Ben Simmons” while clapping

[@corpyhogan4433]

That LeBron game in 2010 was probably the most hostile sporting event I’ve ever seen in my life. They legit had to call the Ohio state police to provide security for the game Lmao

[@cactaceous]

Thanks for Harden! Thanks for Harden!

[@javianjohnson8746]

@@corpyhogan4433 Yea also they couldn't serve beer bottles. They had to serve all drinks in foam cups because they didn't want someone throwing a glass bottle at LeBron's head, I remember that too

[@Whips383]

Menthal Simmons Menthal Simmons

[@bcollins5011]

Philly fans act like a scorn woman! I would laugh if I was him. Fans booing never changed any decisions. Lol!

[@Cawhi]

Ben might cry in that arena 😂

[@markgraves2192]

😂😂😂😂

[@Terror832]

Ben Simmons reaggravates his hurt feelings and is out for the playoffs

[@thomasberrymanll4595]

He’ll probably have headphones on.

[@tigerhoods7927]

😂😂😂

[@dwightyawg7781]

@@Terror832 💀

[@justincrediblefantasy8263]

Am I the only one that thinks Philly has taken this Ben Simmons thing too far, they have every right to boo him tonight. But this whole thing has been just pure ridiculing on the 76ers fans.

[@culturisklounge3791]

He has to deal with it, in some type of way.

[@geraldthompson1256]

If Ben hasn't played after this game it going to be the same situation like in Philly bc he should've been ready to play with the KD and Kyrie but he still look like he's scared to go play

[@sbj97]

Why is he in the NBA? Serious question 😂

[@kineseye9293]

Stéphan A is 💯 on this one. As a Philly fan, I feel betrayed that a player I supported for all these years is refusing to play just because I held him accountable for choking in playoff. This man is spineless

[@luckybuckeye2283]

I hope Ben Simmons’ return is worst than LeBron’s when he returned to Cleveland in 2010. He single handily ruined the Sixers title run last season, and then quit on them over the offseason and 2021-22 season.

[@zubayerahmed2398]

The second runner for DPOY ruined your chances, not an overpaid sf named tobias Harris 🤣 y’all are a joke

[@xTnT87]

Clear Philly fan delusional placing all the blame for failing last year in the playoffs.

[@franciscoguzman1065]

@J T the guy didn’t provide anything dude and played like one giant puss! Only 4 shot attempts?

[@franciscoguzman1065]

If simmons wasn’t such a puss they win that series. At least provide some scoring.

[@travisealy3512]

@@franciscoguzman1065 bro he held trae to 5/23. Y’all let a redhead drop 30 on y’all. Joel had 8 turnovers and Harris went 8/24😭😭 clearly that’s all Simmons fault right ?

[@catastrophecookies6066]

He ain’t have to give Kevin Hart that stray tho 😂

[@sagar110]

You work hard and we will love you. Look at Fultz. There is still love for him in Philly.

[@chblegendary165]

Y’all know how we get when it’s Dallas week during the football season, imagine that 10x and instead of it being aimed at a whole football team it’s directed at one person. It’s still not to late to change your mind Ben.

[@cbworld2502]

I can't wait for "Inside The NBA" with the crew 🤣😭

[@popeye8427]

BROOKLYN in DA HOUSE. We got Ben Simmons back! Let's get it ON! 🌏🥊🥊 Lol 😂😆

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

Philadelphia booed Kobe. They'll boo Simmons. Eagles fans are maniacs. Same with Phillies fans.

[@ramonrojas3722]

Philly only booed Kobe because his team beat the Sixers in the finals the season prior difference is everyone knew how great and talented Kobe was Simmons gives you none of that and decided to not take ANY accountability for him getting better in different areas. That’s on Simmons.

[@mariostringer9816]

Kobe never cheated the game, Simmons is a mentally weak defender. 76ers will love players who play hard every night like AI

[@cammacmaccam7375]

Ben being on the bench could potentially send a message to him from his Nets teammates saying “you with us, we got your back”

[@NeilTruick]

Missanelli on the Fanatic said that Simmons and his agent are filing a lawsuit claiming something along the lines of "hostile work environment" in order to get the $20 million withheld by the Sixers because Simmons didn't play. The *only* reason they are showing is to incite the response everybody and their grandmother knows he will receive, deservedly so, thinking it will help his lawsuit. Missanelli has also encouraged the Sixers fans in attendance to include a "Thanks for Harden" chant after they convey their frustrations to Ben for his behavior over the last nine months, in order to make the environment less hostile overall. In any case, the "Mr Softee" moniker is as appropriate a description as they come.

[@willjoyce5013]

Response from anyone that isn't a Philly fanboy: Good

[@tajthorpe3199]

1. Death 2. Taxes 3. SAS mentioning workin in Philly for 17 yrs

[@micah.1009]

Stephen a told it accurately

[@Philasophical_Truth.Wisdom]

WOW!!! Couldn’t have said it BETTER Stephen A… !!!!

[@eddward758]

One thing we know about Steven A is that he worked in Philly for 17 years

[@TomTropicana]

Philli gonna end up Hitting Ben with the Chicken Dance Tribute! 🐔🍗🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 No shames about it😃

[@sellthedip6245]

Philly really showed simmons....with a huge loss and your recruit harden being owned

[@ChesterWilsonJr]

Philly is going to boo Ben Simmons like no other. Ben Simmons should retire from the NBA because he doesn't want the criticism of the NBA fans and he's soft and wants to blame others for his actions.

[@jasonau427]

You know Ben Simmons?

[@FloydsHighHeels]

Nah Philly fans are just mentally ill, bunch of weirdos

[@manisankar3937]

Imagine blaming everything on Ben Simmons and got punked 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ninjedi6710]

People be overusing the word "soft" nowadays.

[@jazzyboi161]

"I'm talking about from infants to grandma's" LMAO

[@1017KushNoLove]

I feel like this is just Simmons’ way of trying to show he’s not ducking the Philly fans and is actually not ready to play. It’s cap though he’s scared to play in Philly, he’s fine sitting on the bench in Philly.

[@lances25]

Shiiiiiiiiiidddddd!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@divefraggle]

Man, this is going to be rough for Ben Simmons. Looking forward to when he actually suits up.

[@AlvarGeesusTheCreator]

Stephan A., speaking for a whole fan base and city.

[@sunshineleslie1460]

He sounds like when Martin gets mad at Pam😜

[@advanced8998]

Why is ESPN building up heckling

[@kdot1928]

Stephen “I worked in philly for 17 years” A Smith

[@markscown3504]

The hate for Ben Simmons is just ridiculously over the top, it reflects really poorly on the Philadelphia fan base all around the world. I hope I’m wrong but I have a feeling that outtakes of this will be shown on news feeds all around the globe

[@mscooldeadly]

Grow up dude, it's sports.

[@commandershepard485]

As someone who struggles with mental health , just sitting in an hostile environment isn’t good for your mental health 😂. I would not want to be there.

[@matthewvels]

Mr Steven A “iv worked in Philadelphia for 17 years” Smith.

[@realityoverfiction9207]

I’m definitely want to play against a team or city that trashed me Ben weak

[@almightyprofessor]

“I’m talking infant to grandma” 😂😂😂

[@user-xd6gr1yb6d]

When Stephen A tells you how long he's worked in Philly, does anyone else say 17 years with him? Cause I do. Every time.

[@mrfreem110]

The 76ers were #1 seed when Ben was running the show! Now what are they ranked without him. Just like draymond, there are some players you can’t see their value in the stat sheet. That’s Ben Simmons!

[@shaolinshefgaming400]

"Until you defeat what cowers you, you can break the shackles that bind you..." - Alucard

[@dblocknyc]

BEN is there to troll em and fuxk with them. i honestly dont think Ben gives 1 fu*k if he's boo'd especially by Philly fans. i hink he'll get a kick out of it

[@Kriscur20]

Why isn't he playing then?

[@dblocknyc]

@@Kriscur20 IDK and IDC lol i just think its funny af

[@davidshaw5872]

Philly lost. Where is Stephen A Smith? 😂😂😂😂

[@alexfalkenstein320]

As a lifelong Philly sports fan, this is the greatest thing I've heard all week!

[@yahyarajaee5883]

New drinking game: every time SA say he’s worked in the sportscasting business for n year or he was in Philly for x year, take a shot

[@sbj97]

I'm drunk Asf

[@robertk2007]

Philly booed Santa Claus and cheered Michael Irvin neck injury

[@Monsterhouse215]

We know Ben Simmons inside and out we know his weaknesses better then anybody that gives the sixers a clear advantage when he comes back and for that reason I say we won the trade we own permanent realestate in their point guards head

[@leafbuck215]

All that noise they made and they got a beat down

[@thefighter5182]

Go Nets beat Philly. Because Kyrie will do whatever it takes to win just like KD will do whatever it takes to win. Because the Nets will do whatever it takes to win. Go Nets for the win.

[@tidepods4005]

Has Stephen A. covered Philadelphia sports for 17 years? I’m not sure

[@ShadomanG]

Was a fan of Simmons. But you’d rather SIT on the bench get boo’d/heckled/harassed than PLAY against your former team in a HUGE game & stick it to them? Drop 50 or put up a Triple Dbl. He’s healthy we know it. Why not get it over with, face the music & ball out 💪🏽

[@WhiteBuddha22]

I just hope philly doesn’t throw anything or stuff like that and it’s just verbal.

[@bcollins5011]

Leave to the media to over blow a situation. Booing doesn't change any outcomes and nor should Ben care if they do. Only great players get booed. So if I'm Ben I'd love them.

[@thejaymorantdude8799]

☎️ *rings “Ben” “No” “yes”

[@aaronxiong7984]

*first take topic includes Philadelphia* “I worked in Philadelphia for over 17 years” SAS 😂

[@howisthatgay4275]

If you haven’t, please check out that Bill Burr Philly rant from like 10 years ago lol. Legendary take on the city and fans in general

[@Ghostkilla773]

Philly gone rush the court.

[@micah.1009]

He’s going to the game because he filed a lawsuit on the team and he’s showing up to the game too use the boos and slander as proof .

[@bigballerju07]

Wait he filed a lawsuit? Imafo wow. This dude is pathetic for doing that.

[@micah.1009]

@@bigballerju07 he’s using the mental health thing as a case too get his money back from the missed games .

[@CrimeThinkBeats]

He has no case. He already made a public statement that mental health wasn't the reason he wanted out of Philadelphia. He's just a selfish, vain, coward.

[@_jeffrey359]

@@micah.1009 they were paying him tho no?

[@micah.1009]

@@_jeffrey359 they fined him every game he missed . Rightfully so

[@iri101]

Finally SAS told the truth. No one has been a bigger heel to a city/fan base.

[@andresalmonte4772]

The city of Brotherly Love

[@michaeljamesjr5296]

Not the babies, Stephen A. From babies to Grandmas 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 but yes. They're gonna boo him outta the arena

[@captainkev10]

We knew you couldn't SHOOT! WE UNDERSTOOD THAT! 🤣🤣🤣

[@joshuaaskew5598]

Benny Backhurt

[@twodeepupyours508]

I got goosebumps i can not wait for tonight he better wear noise cancelling 🎧 and a sleep mask!!!😂

[@305MRCITY]

Stephen A i worked in philly 17 years Smith dude says that every segment about the sixers okay stfu we get it.

[@ddoggx794]

I'm out here in Cali and Cali people feel the same way about him

[@darkerknight7010]

When LeBron returned to Cleveland, he cane out of the gate strong and it was killing the crowd. The only way Simmons gets past this is by having a big game & winning.

[@kobetrotman2484]

Philly give Ben Simons PTSD every time he gotta play them 💀😂

[@JuliusC1973]

There are no words to describe the visceral reaction Ben Simmons will evoke when he steps onto the court and every time he touches the ball.

[@cuzintray1138]

He couldn't had said it any better

[@HoopTrek]

That deep breath beginning pause, straight out of Being Skip Bayless: 101

[@westburns24]

@Stephenasmith I need that same energy with kyrie and boston

[@michaelcain966]

Why he called her molecule @ 2:05 😂

[@boknows6398]

You would think that a player who claims that fans caused him to play poorly and created a hostile work environment for him would reverse their anger by throw it back at them by going out and playing revenge ball, like how Lebron did Cleveland, and how KD did OKC. But Simmons can't bring himself to even try to do it. I live in Chicago so I don't root for the 76ers, but I am pissed off at how Simmons handled the situation. It's like a kid in high school who has to pass an exam in order to graduate. The kid knows what's at stake and has been given all the study material and tutoring to prepare, but still goes and scores 33% on his exam, then blames the teacher for giving him the failing grade.

[@justinmasten4030]

"Infant to Grandmas!" hhahahhahha

[@CFREUp]

J. Will needs two jackets for any occasion 🤣

[@Muzzlecrowe-li9kt]

I’m so glad it’s in Philly so that kyrie can play

[@johnjones7023]

Both of these teams are full of divas

[@solenya5374]

This is different. McNabb was hated and is still hated. We welcomed Simmons asap, were very patient with him, and supported him during his development but he never gave the same love let alone effort back. He was extremely lucky with us. No excuses f him for real

[@farainyika2365]

This ddn't age well. The bashing and vitriol that was supposed to be headed Ben's way did not manifest. Lol. Coz Phili got hammered.

[@bobhanson1037]

Wish Ben would've played and hit the game winning shot.

[@joangilroy7247]

Would never happen…..just wait, you will get it soon. He is a joke

[@Amor1990]

would’ve? That’s past tense. Game doesn’t start for like 8 more hours.

[@Terror832]

I wish his first shot was a pull up three pointer

[@Itakotsu]

Game winning follow up dunk

[@DH-lm6kh]

@@Terror832 a brick?

[@ike.o6944]

Ben Simmons is going to the game tonight for the upper hand in his grievance case against the 76ers, so he can recoup the $20 million he lost in fines earlier in year. I don't understand how the national media isn't putting 2 and 2 together. Ben Simmons and Klutch sports are banking on the most hostile environment tonight and will use tonights hostility to the arbitration and say that reaction he received in tonights game is the reason he couldn't play in Philly anymore lmaooooooo and it messed up with his mental health....

[@AYOKLOUD9]

Throw this comment away, how dumb do you sound ? He aint getting no money back at all

[@sbj97]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@bryann25]

He had a contract and didn’t hold his end of it he’s not getting any money 😂😂

[@NotebookLives]

Ben Simmons is too soft for the NBA. It’s that simple. And I’m tired of Skip Bayless bringing up his 40-point game versus Utah. It means nothing when you can’t step up to the plate consistently.

[@eyeque7]

I hope you overcome all of this Ben, and pray you rise against the cruel and hypocritical nature of humanity. Amen.

[@josephgarcia4475]

Watch the nets play the 6ers in the first round lol Ben can't avoid playing the 6ers forever

[@davidrobinson4515]

March 10, 2022 Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia Box Score MIN FG 3PT FT OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF +/- PTS Ben Simmons PG DNP-- MISSED PLANE FLIGHT TO PHILADELPHIA