Relationships between players and fans can become as close as they are toxic in the space of a few days. A legend of the league is well placed to know, she who left her first franchise in part because of the treatment reserved for her by the spectators!
In general, it is enough to deliver satisfying performances repeatedly, but above all to wet the jersey night after night to enter their hearts. On the other hand, a single false step can call everything into question, and take an immense time to be forgiven. This complex bond that unites players and fans in the NBA can sometimes destroy the minds of certain stars, like Ben Simmons recently.
Targeted by the 76ers fanbase following the elimination of the franchise in the conference semi-finals last summer, the Australian point guard has not worn the jersey of his franchise since. Broken psychologically, he refuses for the moment to reintegrate the group of Doc Rivers, and hopes to be able to make a new start far from Philadelphia. Its leaders, however, reject the big offers one after the other.
Charles Barkley’s peculiar nickname to the 76ers
This Simmons file, which has been dragging on for several months now, has the gift of particularly annoying a certain Charles Barkley. Former great Philly player, the Chuckster repeatedly set Big Ben on fire and his behavior, clearly siding with his former team, and indirectly with the fans. However, the latter had not really been more lenient with him, as he recalled in an interview for TMZ Sports !
Charles Barkley: « Ben Simmons never gonna play in Philly again. The fans will never forgive him…I know those fans well. I thought my name was Charles Barkley Son of a B*tch for a long time when I was there. » ????????
(via @TMZ_Sports) pic.twitter.com/6ezkTpE8nH
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 18, 2022
Charles Barkley: “Ben Simmons is never going to play in Philly again. The fans will never forgive him for what he did, and I know them well. I thought my name was ‘Charles Barkley Son of a Bitch’ for a long time when I played there! »
A special treatment which is surprising, as Barkley has contributed to the success of Philly for years.
Inside the Sixers for 8 seasons, Sir Charles averaged 23.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists. However, his inability to lead the franchise to the NBA Finals — and even to the playoffs for several seasons — earned him heavy criticism. He therefore comes to hope that Simmons does not decide to wear the Phila jersey again, as the spectators at the Wells Fargo Center would not give him a gift!
A fine connoisseur of resentful character of 76ers fans, Charles Barkley indirectly advises Ben Simmons to stick to his guns and push for a trade. Rest assured, Big Ben obviously had no intention of changing his mind!
