This is going to be interesting! The upcoming Wednesday night clash between two major powerhouses in the Eastern Conferences is gathering a great deal of attention. And now—for some memorable reasons—is already termed to be more than just a match-up.
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid will be creating the extra storyline when Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers take center stage on Wednesday. The classic clash will see both aces face off against each other for the first time after a much emphatic spell together with the 7ers.
Ben Simmons Meets Joel Embiid for the First Time
Not More Than a Game for Simmons and Embiid
Simmons and Emiid were integral to the much memorable 2017-18 and 2020-21 seasons when Philly made four straight campaigns. They will also be remembered for making the NBA look like a typical workplace place many would never imagine. Yeah, some players like them simply view themselves as coworkers without creating a relationship that transcends the game time on the court.
Simmons, an Australian star, moved to Brooklyn last year in a blockbuster NBA deadline switch that saw ex-MVP, James Harden, moving the opposite way. It was even more dramatic when Embiid, following the news, took to his Twitter handle to invoke a meme relating to a man heading to his “biggest haters’ funeral just to make sure [they are] dead.’’
No Communication Since Trade
It is unclear what both players think of themselves. But definitely, they were never “best of friends” when they were donning the Phila jersey together for the 7ers. And that might have even grown worse over the past 11 months since the trade. Simmons had once revealed in an interview they “never really spoke [again]” after his departure.
While he has been more diplomatic in his utterances, Embiid has never been shy about hinting at the possible lackluster relationship between them. In October after Simmons’ departure, Embiid, a Cameroonian center, after being frequently queried over his absence, said “At this point, I don’t care about that man, honestly.”
Interest is High
But all this makes the Wednesday night match so talked about. Fans would definitely want to get some extra popcorn to see how they’ll settle it all in the classic Eastern Conference showdown.
However, this will not be Brooklyn and Philadelphia’s first meeting this current campaign. They had met back on November 22 with the latter stealing the show slightly with a 115-106 win at home.
Simmons Had Fanned the Embers of Rivalry
While Embiid was not available for the Nov. clash due to an injury, Simmons on the other hand set the stage for future vendetta. He had shrugged to the fans when he went 2-for-2 during one of his trips to the free throw line in that last clash.
The Philadelphia 76ers will now host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
