Simmons: I didn't appreciate 76ers fans enough

Ben Simmons still has love for Philadelphia 76ers fans despite his tumultuous history with the team.

The Brooklyn Nets point guard spoke about his former team on "The Young Man and The Three" podcast, admitting he didn't fully absorb the magnitude of 76ers fans' devotion to the team during his time in Philadelphia.

"I didn't appreciate the fans enough. The fans of Philadelphia are incredible," Simmons said. "You always want to play for a team that has a good fan base, whether they're booing or whatever. You just want fans to care. You want the arena packed.

"Just having that experience in Philadelphia was amazing. I'm so grateful to have played there and got 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, you know? There's no place like it."

Simmons was selected first overall by the 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft and spent the first six campaigns of his career with the team, winning Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earning three straight All-Star nods from 2019-21. He was traded to the Nets in February 2022 following a season-long holdout from the 76ers.