On Fox Sports’ morning show First Things First, sports media personality Chris Broussard spoke about how Simmons is better off facing his demons by participating in the matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 10th as opposed to sitting it out. Broussard said:
Broussard continued by saying that Simmons needs to face the challenge of going back to Philly head-on and getting over it as the Nets could very well face the Sixers in the postseason this year. Broussard continued:
Should Ben Simmons play on March 10th against the 76ers?
With Ben Simmons not having played a single minute this season, it has been 250 days since his last NBA game. His conditioning is going to be completely shot at the moment and that should be the priority for the Nets. That, and integrating him into the team with new teammates.
The game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 10th is an opportunity for Simmons to return to the place he called home for four years. It also provides him with an opportunity to face the fans that have heckled and lambasted him ever since Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks last season.
The Nets have seven games to play before their clash against the Sixers. Seven games for Simmons to ramp up his conditioning and understand his teammates better on the court. Ben Simmons will be given the duty of being the primary ball handler and will be surrounded by bonafide sharpshooters like Kyrie Irving and Seth Curry, with Kevin Durant’s return still not public knowledge. He will need time to understand his teammates and how they function.
It could be a statement game for Simmons as he could prove his doubters wrong in Philly, but the flipside is that it could also be a game where he could crumble under pressure. Either way, the Nets-76ers game on March 10th is set to witness an electric atmosphere.
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