Sixers fans' brutal new chant as Ben Simmons drama rumbles on
Philadelphia fans started chanting Damian Lillard's name during the 76ers' win over the Portland Trailblazers on Monday.
With Ben Simmons still sidelined, 76ers fans were chanting Lillard's name in the apparent hope of landing the six-time All-Star in a trade for the under-fire Aussie.
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Simmons has missed the Sixers' 5-2 start to the season and remains in limbo, having failed to secure an off-season trade with four years left on his massive contract.
The prospect of a Lillard-Simmons swap appears unlikely, and even more so the longer the Australian sits out in a situation that is driving down his trade value.
Fans have previously expressed their frustrations by booing Simmons' name and wearing shirts mocking him at home games.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers provided an update on Simmons on Thursday, confirming the much-maligned Aussie star is showing up "every day."
Rivers added that Simmons' back is improving, and his return to the court will be based on his mental health.
A return to the court in a 76ers jersey looked dicey last week when Simmons was sent home from practice and suspended for a game after refusing to participate.
The Australian star has previously requested a trade out of Philly after fans turned on him following a disappointing display in the playoffs last season.
The #Blazers should give Damian Lillard to the #Sixers for losing to Philly minus Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) November 2, 2021
To recap the Sixers' day: Joel Embiid sits out, Tobias Harris in health and safety protocols, Danny Green hurt hamstring, still no Ben Simmons, fans chanting "We want Lillard!" all night, all sorts of weirdness.
They beat the full-strength Blazers by 10. Remarkable performance.— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) November 2, 2021
76ers crowd was chanting “WE WANT LILLARD” to Damian Lillard at the free-throw line 👀
Any chance Philly could pull off a Ben Simmons & Picks trade for Lillard? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/y84WUbqaCZ— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) November 1, 2021
Sixers overcome Ben Simmons absence in 5-2 start
The 76ers didn't appear bothered by the ongoing Simmons saga or his absence as they posted a 113-103 win over Portland.
Behind 23 points from Seth Curry, the Sixers registered their third consecutive victory and held off the Lillard-led Blazers.
From the tip they were also without centre Joel Embiid (rested) and Tobias Harris, who was sidelined due the NBA's health and safety protocols, while Danny Green (hamstring tightness) left the game late in the third period.
Andre Drummond stepped up with 14 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and five steals, while Georges Niang added 21 points and Boomers favourite Matisse Thybulle had two points and three steals.
Lillard heard home fans' chants of "we want Lillard" from the stands and finished with a double-double, with 20 points and 10 assists to go with seven rebounds.
Norman Powell (22 points) and CJ McCollum (20) were also prominent for the Blazers.
Meanwhile, Australian centre Jock Landale was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field as his San Antonio Spurs were on the receiving end of a 131-118 defeat to the Indiana Pacers, who ended a four-game losing skid.
Landale saw less than six minutes of court time late in the game but managed 10 points, one rebound and one assist, while Domantas Sabonis had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers.
with AAP
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