With their team having selected Embiid as the third overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft and Simmons as the first overall selection in 2016, Sixers fans were told for many years to “trust the process,” as the early seasons of futility under head coach Brett Brown would eventually lead to playoff success.
While Philly made the playoffs in four straight campaigns with Embiid and Simmons leading the way from the 2017-18 season through the 2020-21 season, they never got past the second round.
After the team’s early exit in the 2021 playoffs, Sixers fans grew tired of the postseason shortcomings and placed the blame directly on Simmons, who disappeared in clutch situations during the second-round upset loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The former Rookie of the Year sat out the entire 2021-22 campaign and was traded to the Nets in February as a part of a blockbuster deal that saw James Harden land with the 76ers.
Both Embiid and Simmons have admitted that they haven’t been on the friendliest of terms over the last 11 months since the trade, so fans may want some extra popcorn for Wednesday’s showdown. The strained relationship may have even dated back to when the Cameroonian center and Australian point guard were still teammates, as the latter said in the fall that they “never really spoke.”
Brooklyn and Philadelphia have met once this season — with the Sixers winning 115-106 on Nov. 22 at home — but Embiid didn’t play due to an injury. Simmons notably went 2-for-2 during one of his trips to the free throw line in that contest and shrugged to the crowd.
The 76ers will host the Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday on ESPN.
