Last season, it’d probably be fair to say that Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t have an amicable breakup. Even before Philadelphia traded Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets, it was apparent there were lingering bad feelings between both parties.
On Tuesday night, Simmons returned to play against the 76ers as a member of those very same Nets. Understandably, many figured there’d be a lot of pressure on the point forward — especially given the reputation of home Philadelphia sports crowds.
He had quite a unique way of cutting through all the tension.
Early in the first quarter, Simmons found himself at the free throw line as a feverish chorus of boos rained down on him. In a display of great calm, Simmons — who came in shooting 50 percent from the charity stripe — drained both shots and, in reaction, did Michael Jordan’s famous shrug from the 1992 NBA Finals.
Oh yeah, this was a moment of pure gold from Simmons:
Ben Simmons' first points come on free throws and he knocked them down easily 😏pic.twitter.com/E4MHCj3ZLY
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) November 23, 2022
And Ben with a little shrug after hitting both free throws 🤷♂️pic.twitter.com/EzcfwhWrGU
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) November 23, 2022
Incredible. If Simmons was bothered by the 76ers’ hostile crowd, you wouldn’t know it watching him here.
The same sentiment could apply to Simmons’ overall play by the end of the first half. He had nine points, just two and a half shy of his pre-game over-and-under mark with BetGM. Let’s give the man some credit; he clearly came to play. And judging by his shrug, playing in front of 76ers fans as a member of another team was no big deal.
NBA fans couldn't believe Simmons did the MJ shrug after hitting two early free throws
did ben simmons do the mj shrug after making two free throws? i want to live in a world where the answer is yes
— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) November 23, 2022
Ben Simmons just hit the MJ shrug after hitting two free throws LOL 🤷🏽♂️😂
pic.twitter.com/S27tahjuyt— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) November 23, 2022
Did Ben Simmons do the MJ Shrug for making two free throws???
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) November 23, 2022
Ben Simmons giving the MJ shrug after hitting 2 free throws is priceless.
— Steve Lindsay (@SteveLindsayCBS) November 23, 2022
The shrug after 2 free throws in the first. Lol https://t.co/9OAZAxlMk8
— Dave (@d_moses7) November 23, 2022
Hitting the Jordan Shrug after making 2 free throws while shooting 50% on the year is an all time move https://t.co/w61OQt4dic
— Jeremy Reynolds (@JReyn24) November 23, 2022
Ben Simmons hits both free throws and gives a little shrug to the Sixers crowd lol pic.twitter.com/6EjbD7Kyjq
— Ted Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) November 23, 2022
Ben Simmons really did a mini Jordan shrug after hitting two free throws…AFTER HITTING TWO FREE THROWS
— Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin) November 23, 2022
Ben Simmons nails back to back free throws despite massive boos from Sixers fans, then shrugs them off. pic.twitter.com/jzPi4lqaBj
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) November 23, 2022
Ben Simmons hit both free throws and hit the Sixers crowd with a shrug 💀
pic.twitter.com/x3JImYzj59— LaVine x Fields (@LaVinexFields) November 23, 2022
Ben Simmons knocks down both free throws and gives the shrug! Gotta love it!
— Meghan Triplett (@Meghan_Triplett) November 23, 2022
