Ben Simmons, Not a Fan of the Booing

The Sixers were booed multiple times on Saturday afternoon.

They were booed on the floor. They were booed off the floor. They were booed in the first half and second half. Ben Simmons was booed twice at the foul line when he missed a pair.

He said this about it after the game:

Ben Simmons: "If you're a #Sixers fan and you're going to boo, stay on that side." pic.twitter.com/IWHtkHUkYy

— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) April 13, 2019

Jimmy Butler was asked about Ben’s comments, and explained that Simmons is a “grown man” who can speak for himself.

Joel Embiid gave what I thought was a very nuanced and reasonable opinion, after the jump:

Sixers' Joel Embiid on booing fans possibly affecting players during Game 1 loss to Nets: "The fact that it's after every single miss… Every miss shot, then you get booed, you get the next one, 'Should I shoot it or not because I'm about to get booed?' Some guys are like that." pic.twitter.com/rymoliAOmq

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 13, 2019

Gotta agree with Embiid. It does have an effect on the players.

My take?

Yes, the Sixers deserved to be booed today for that wretched excuse of a performance, but it DOES put pressure on a team that already has a lot of weight on their shoulders, especially when Ben Simmons is getting booed at the foul line in his own arena with the game in reach. Sure, it’s on him to make a free throw, but the Wells Fargo Center was all over the place today. The Nets looked loose and comfortable. The Sixers looked like they were being smushed under the weight of expectations.

Don’t get me wrong; those expectations are justified. This team was expected to do things in the postseason. My belief is that booing can be justified but detrimental at the same time, so I’m curious as to the fan response if things go south in game two.