Local news roasts Ben Simmons after trade request

Even local media is taking shots at Ben Simmons now. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Local news channel viciously roasts Ben Simmons after 76ers trade request

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Fitzgerald | Last updated 9/3/21

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons fell out of favor with fans for his awful playoff free-throw shooting and general inability to live up to the hype. In the aftermath of a reported trade request, even the local media is taking shots at Simmons now.

Courtesy of ProCity Hoops, Fox 29 ran a segment of Simmons leaving Philadelphia — only it was less raw footage and more an unflattering analogy of the 25-year-old’s broken shot:

Philadelphia news is really different

“We just got in footage of Ben Simmons hastily fleeing Philadelphia.” pic.twitter.com/vGduW4DEeo
— ProCity Hoops (@ProCityHoops) September 3, 2021

You almost can’t believe this is a real thing that happened on live TV, but such is the state of things in the City of Brotherly Love.

Philly fans are notoriously critical and have high standards. Simmons’ inability to team with Joel Embiid and lead the Sixers past the conference semifinals in the postseason is obviously straining the patience of those who pull for the team.

Embiid went to bat for Simmons this week and voraciously defended him against all the backlash he’s received for a playoff run in which he shot 34.2% on free throws.

That clearly didn’t stop Fox 29 from brutally roasting Simmons, and isn’t bound to keep him in Philly for much longer, especially if he follows through on his intentions of not reporting to training camp.

GM Daryl Morey has been trying to maximize Simmons’ value in a prospective blockbuster trade. Simmons wants to dictate where he lands. Neither side has leverage for what they want to accomplish. The hope is, the off-court drama ends soon, and the Sixers can build a legitimate championship contender around Embiid.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: