Nets' Ben Simmons booed as Sixers spoil his Philadelphia return

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Ben Simmons knew exactly what he was going to get from the fans of the Philadelphia 76ers. He knew fans would be angry after going through a divorce with the team that made him the No. 1 overall pick.

Simmons nearly had a triple-double with 11 points, 11 assists and 7 rebound, but the Nets lost to the 76ers 115-106.

Simmons said after the game that he was in a good spot. I'm doing what I enjoy. It was great to be out there and have that experience. It wasn't the result we were hoping for. It's difficult to lose a game like that, but I think it's a positive step forward.

Fans booed Ben Simmons when he brought the ball up the floor when he sat out the Nets' win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Simmons smiled at the reception after he thought it would be louder.

While Simmons admitted he would probably get the same response in Philadelphia, his Brooklyn teammates and coaches were proud of the way he embraced the moment and cleared the next hurdle in his recovery.

"I think it's a mental hurdle that you have to overcome," Irving said. I think he played well tonight after playing well a game ago. We have to be there for each other.

Kevin Durant went through a similar return game when he went back to Oklahoma City for the first time after signing with the Golden State Warriors.

KD said there was a lot of emotions. You just want to do your job. The fans are going to be involved and excited and just bring their best. That is in all arenas. Everyone would like to see our team fail. It could be that at every road arena, nobody likes Ben, nobody likes Ky, and nobody likes myself.

We have to deal with it. Simmons did a good job of handling it and playing his game, but we just didn't win.

It's a lot of stuff that probably factor into it, and that's why I think so many people don't like the Nets. NBA fans love you when you're not popular. I think it's just a case of mistaken love. We understand it. People like to watch us play.

The way Philadelphia fans treated Simmons was because he decided to play for another team.

"I think they all had a lot of great memories with Ben and they don't like how it ended," he said.

Fans want to be heard because they feel like they are part of the team. A lot of fans in the NBA have been heard with social and how we highlight them. It's important to appreciate both sides. Part of the game is that. I believe Ben is aware of that. Everyone understands that. The fans respect us as men but there is a part of sports that includes heckling. It is all a part of it.