A Tribute Video In Philly This Week For Ben Simmons?

It now appears that Ben Simmons will be on the bench with his Brooklyn Nets teammates (in street clothes, of course) when they play the 76ers in Philadelphia Thursday night. Nets coach Steve Nash has confirmed this. But does that mean that the Sixers will be giving Simmons a tribute video on the scoreboard for his return? Head coach Doc Rivers wants to see it.

Nets G Ben Simmons deserves a tribute video on Thursday 76ers coach Doc Rivers tells @BallySports. pic.twitter.com/2VYHQTJian

— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) March 8, 2022

"Yeah, I do actually (want to see a tribute video). Ben did a lot of good things here."

The very idea had ESPN NBA Today panelists Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins burst out laughing.

"No! He does not deserve anything!" obliged Jefferson. "A tribute video for a person that quit on your franchise?" asked Perk. 

Simmons forced himself out of Philly—and incensed Sixers fans and many around the league—by sitting out the season up until he was traded to Brooklyn for James Harden. 

Simmons is currently working out with the Nets, getting back into game shape, while nursing a reported "sore back", which will keep him out of the lineup for his return game to Philadelphia.

As for the reception Simmons is likely to receive, even on the bench, from the City of Brotherly Love faithful? Doc brought some levity and laughs to the room with, "Our fans are so silent, so I can't imagine anything happening." 

Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports