Ben Simmons on Joel Embiid: 'I don't think there was really a relationship there'

Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons is on his way back to the court after more than a year away dealing with a back injury and mental health issues. 

With a fresh start in front of him, Simmons seemingly wants to put the past five tumultuous seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers in the rearview by confronting it. In a recent Q&A with ESPN's Nick Friedell, Simmons covered a variety of topics and was extremely open about his relationship with former All-Star teammate Joel Embiid. 

During Simmons' time playing with the 76ers and Embiid, there were always questions surrounding whether or not the two got along or not. Simmons all but confirmed the latter when asked if he'd spoken to Embiid since being traded to the Nets. 

"I don't talk to Jo," Simmons said. "We never really spoke."

Simmons elaborated, adding that he never thought he and Embiid ever clicked when it came to becoming friends off the court. 

"I don't think there was really a relationship there," Simmons said. "Like in terms of a friendship? You can try as hard as you want to try to be close to somebody, be their friend, whatever it is, but everyone is different as people, so for me, it's never personal. I don't have any anger or hate towards him.

"He is who he is, and I am who I am. And we've got our personal lives. And work is basketball, so in that moment, my goal is to win and I got to win with Jo. He's a great player, we just didn't get it done."

Simmons may not be eager to send Embiid a Christmas card this year, but he is looking forward to their first face-to-face meeting. On November 22, the Nets travel to Philadelphia to take on the Sixers, a date that's no doubt circled on Simmons' calendar. 

"F---, I can't wait to go there," Simmons said.