The NBA playoffs are always filled with high-intensity games and moments that keep basketball fans on the edge of their seats. However, the 2023 playoffs have added a social media twist to the mix, with ex-Philadelphia 76ers guard, Ben Simmons, taking to Instagram to rub salt into the wounds of his former team following their Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Simmons, who left the 76ers on bad terms when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022, showed Boston and Philadelphia’s Game 7 clash on the TV in the background of his Instagram story. He appeared to be enjoying the moment, sipping on a glass of red wine, while his former teammates were on the receiving end of a devastating defeat. At the time of the photo, the Celtics were leading the game by 30 points, highlighting the utter domination they had over the 76ers. Simmons’s subtle dig at his former team did not go unnoticed on social media, with ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins joining in on the trolling by suggesting that Simmons has been watching games from the comfort of his own home all year.
Simmons’s trolling reflects a larger trend of athletes using social media to go beyond on-court performances. As social media continues to be entrenched in the daily lives of athletes, platforms like Instagram and Twitter provide an opportunity for players to connect with their fans on a more personal level. Social media has also become a platform that offers players ways to extend their personal brand beyond the arena. While Simmons’s actions can be seen as unsportsmanlike, it highlights how social media has become a central part of modern sports culture, allowing athletes to connect with their fans and generate publicity beyond the court.
The 76ers loss to the Celtics marks the end of the season for the team, and many will be left questioning where things went wrong. After being swept by the Nets in the first round, the team was expected to come into the playoffs with a point to prove. However, they were outplayed by the Celtics in Game 7, with a final score of 112-88. The loss is a sign that the 76ers will need to regroup and take a hard look at what needs to change if they want to compete at the highest level next season.
In conclusion, Simmons’s social media trolling of his former team highlights the impact that social media has on modern sports culture. While it can be seen as unsportsmanlike, it shows how players are using social media as a tool to extend their personal brand beyond the court. It also serves as a reminder of how social media is transforming traditional media, allowing fans to get an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into the lives of their favorite athletes. As always, the NBA playoffs provide excitement and drama, on and off the court, and it seems that social media is no exception.
<< photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR >>
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