NEW YORK — If Ben Simmons needs advice on how to deal with animosity from the fanbase of his previous team, all he needs to do is seek out No. 11.
Boston-area fans booed Kyrie Irving repeatedly at TD Garden in the Nets’ loss to the Celtics on Sunday. They chanted “Kyrie sucks!” after Irving turned in a performance below his own superstar standards in the Nets’ six-point loss to a division rival.
Simmons can expect the same type of visceral reaction on Thursday against the 76ers from the very Philadelphia fan base he ostracized with his decision not to participate in training camp activities or join his teammates for games this season. The 25-year-old Australian forward held out and ultimately forced his way to Brooklyn in the blockbuster James Harden trade.
