Video: Nets' Ben Simmons Says He Didn't Appreciate 76ers Fans 'Enough'

Ben Simmons' time in Philadelphia ended on contentious and controversial terms back in 2022, but the Brooklyn Nets' forward still thinks fondly of Sixers' fans.

"I didn't appreciate the fans enough. The fans of Philadelphia are incredible," he said during a Thursday appearance on The Young Man and the Three podcast. "You always want to play for a team that has a good fanbase, whether they're booing or whatever. You just want fans to care. You want the arena packed. So just having that experience in Philadelphia was amazing. I'm so grateful to have played there and gotten to experience the city of Philly and know what it feels like to play for a team like Philly and play on a winning team. Winning in Philly is different. There's no place like it."

Simmons, 28, spent parts of six seasons with the Sixers to start his career, earning three All-Star bids while helping the team become a perennial playoff contender alongside star center Joel Embiid.

Things haven't worked out so well since he forced his way out of Philadelphia, however, as Simmons has played just 87 games in the past four seasons, largely due to injuries. And now the Nets find themselves in a full rebuild, a far cry from Simmons' contending days with the Sixers.