Boston Celtics: Twitter clowns Ben Simmons for Game 4 absence
It’s no surprise that Ben Simmons won’t be suiting up for the Nets for Game 4 in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals matchup against the Boston Celtics given Brooklyn’s 3-0 series deficit.
That said, it’s a little surprising that his back is being listed as the reason why. Anyone can read the writing on the wall and see that playing Simmons in Game 4 is exponentially more likely to end negatively than positively.
Given the former All-Star’s continued absence throughout the 2021-22 season, integrating a piece for the first time with the Nets’ backs up against the wall is just about as poor of an idea as possible. Simmons’ performance against the Atlanta Hawks last postseason caused Sixers fans to cyberbully him off the franchise.
That said, it still reflects poorly on the point forward that when his team needs a spark the most, his back suddenly flares up after his return has been expected for the past week.
Twitter did what it does and flamed the former Philadelphia 76er, who has still yet to suit up for Brooklyn, for not stepping up to face the Boston Celtics on Monday:
Ben Simmons saw what Tatum did to KD in game 3 and asked for a doctor’s note, that’s insane.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 24, 2022
Ben Simmons not playing in game 4 is the most Ben Simmons thing ever. #NBA
— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) April 24, 2022
Kevin Durant is out there playing 46 minutes. Nets have no depth. And Ben Simmons can’t chip in 10-15 minutes to help his team try to stave off elimination? This can’t be going over well in the locker room.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) April 24, 2022
Ben Simmons has officially completed the biggest heist in NBA history. He really sat out an entire season! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 24, 2022
Cmon MAN!!! Out for Game 4 when it was rumored you were going to make your debut. This dude has ZERO competitive 🔥.. As small a chance as the Nets have to come back in this series, you still have KD and Kyrie, all you need is to win ONE game and take it from there.. #ManUp pic.twitter.com/Y5smcnQkqZ
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) April 24, 2022
The Boston Celtics are in a prime position to sweep the Brooklyn Nets
As Chris Mannix pointed out, Simmons sitting out could very well ruffle feathers in a Nets locker-room that already dealt with a high volume of drama for the James Harden-Kyrie Irving situation earlier this season.
While many gave Irving flack for not being legally allowed to play this season for not obliging to pressures to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Simmons is now in the fire for not being there with his team staring into the abyss of elimination and a very uncomfortable offseason.