The Brooklyn Nets were humbled by the Philadelphia 76ers to begin their NBA pre-season, but while former star James Harden stayed away from the court, Ben Simmons made his long awaited return.
Both the Nets and the 76ers have NBA Championship ambitions this season, but have been embroiled in drama away from the court. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were absent for large parts of last season due to both injury and vaccination issues, with Harden forcing a trade to the 76ers to escape the mayhem.
Simmons on the other hand completed a move to Brooklyn after struggling mentally and being left out the 76ers side. So of course it was poetic that the two would meet in their pre-season opener, although Harden didn't fancy returning to the Barclays Center just yet.