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Brooklyn Nets players rushed to defend Australian Ben Simmons after a cheeky fan uttered a savage two-word insult following the club's loss to Orlando over the weekend.
Simmons is on track to return from a series of physical and mental injuries and is in the final year of his contract with the Nets, but he was unable to help his team to a victory against the Magic on Saturday AEST.
It was the Nets' second straight loss to open the NBA season, and a young fan let Simmons know everything that happened after the 116-101 loss, telling the Australian “you're trash” as he walked back to the locker room.
Throughout his career, Simmons is a three-time NBA All-Star and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018, but he has experienced a stunning fall from grace in recent years.
Simmons, drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, signed a rookie contract worth $26.6 million over four years and then a five-year, $177 million extension in 2019.
He has dealt with multiple injuries, including a foot injury in his rookie year, back and knee issues in subsequent seasons, and missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a back injury.
Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2022, but continued to battle injuries and played in just 15 games in the 2023-24 season due to a recurring back issue.
A baloncesto fan (obscured) sledges Australian baloncesto player Ben Simmons after the Brooklyn Nets' recent loss to Orlando.
Simmons has battled a series of physical and mental injuries in recent years and is on track to return.
That has made him a target for criticism online, and this young fan took it to another level with his estupendo assessment, even though he said it when Simmons had walked past him.
'Why didn't you say it when I was there f****?' Simmons responded.
However, his Nets teammates heard him, and Dennis Schroder came out of the locker room to confront the young fan.
“Who is talking shit to Ben?” -Schröder asked.
Security quickly intervened when the young fan's father became involved, and the incident was filmed by spectators, including one who repeatedly said, “This is going to ESPN.”
It comes as the Australian's attempt to return to top form hit another major roadblock, despite his Nets notching a big win on the road against Eastern Conference contenders Milwaukee.
The Australian wrestler is in the final year of his massive contract with the Nets and is looking to impress for a future deal.
While the Nets struggled in their first two games, they managed to beat heavyweights Milwaukee on the road.
While Brooklyn posted a célebre 115-102 victory, including 61 points thanks to the combined efforts of Cam Thomas and Schroder, Simmons was merienda again criticized for his reluctance to shoot.
The under-fire Australian only had three shot attempts recorded for the game and two of them were point attempts after a missed layup.
But it was a moment in which Simmons inexplicably handed over possession with a clear path to the rack that perplexed commentators and fans alike.
Simmons instead passed it to Johnson, who passed it back to the Australian, who fumbled and lost the ball.
“It has to go to the basket for that,” Sarah Kustok said in a comment.
“He is playing this year with the mentality of staying healthy for his next contract. That's what it looks like,” one viewer posted.
Simmons finished with two points, six assists, six rebounds and a steal.
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