via Imago

The Philadelphia 76ers’ season started with championship dreams, but for fans, those aspirations are quickly unraveling.

And at the center of their frustrations is Joel Embiid, the team’s $193 million star, who has spent more time on the sidelines than on the court.

The latest update from Keith Pompey only fueled the fire: “Sixers center Joel Embiid will remain sidelined for Tuesday night’s game vs. the Charlotte Hornets with left knee injury management and personal reasons.”

It’s not just the absence of the reigning MVP that has fans boiling; it’s the eerie sense of déjà vu.

Comparisons to Ben Simmons—who notoriously clashed with the Sixers before his departure—are making the rounds, with some claiming Simmons was never the real issue.

This growing tension underscores a harsh reality: a season that began with title hopes now feels like it’s slipping away.

With Embiid’s health status wrapped in secrecy and Philly’s roster reeling from injuries, fans are beginning to lose patience.

And if things don’t change soon, they might check out entirely.

For many Sixers fans, this situation feels eerily reminiscent of the Ben Simmons saga – a turbulent chapter that still lingers in the minds of the Philly faithful.

Once heralded as the franchise’s cornerstone, Simmons faced his own battles with fan expectations and team dynamics. His reluctance to develop a consistent jump shot, particularly his shooting struggles in high-pressure playoff moments, became a focal point of frustration.

That frustration boiled over in the 2021 playoffs, where Simmons’ pass on a crucial dunk in Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks signaled a lack of confidence that fans never forgave.

What followed was a messy fallout. The Nets superstar requested a trade, citing mental health struggles as the reason.

Many accused him of using it as a ploy to get out of the tight spot he was in while still collecting paychecks.

Moreover, his public image further soured as he flaunted his lifestyle, particularly his car collection, leaving fans feeling abandoned by someone they viewed as a savior.

The parallels with Embiid’s current situation—the injuries, the lack of transparency, and the growing dissatisfaction of fans—make the current frustrations all the more pronounced.

Mounting criticism as Sixers fans call for drastic measures amid latest Joel Embiid setback

The very first comment said everything they had to say with just three words: “Ben Simmons 2.0” It effectively reflects the annoyance and frustration of Embiid’s absence by dubbing him an upgraded version of Simmons.

As mentioned above, the comparison stems from the LSU alum’s tumultuous tenure with the team, where injuries and off-court issues led to a fractured relationship with the franchise.

As such, the above remark also encapsulates a fear underneath the sarcasm that Joel Embiid might follow a similar path.

This next user seems to have thoughts along the same lines.

“In other words… he’s become Ben Simmons and is quitting on the team.”

Like Simmons, the 7-footer’s recurring injuries and lack of clarity regarding his status have led to accusations of him “quitting” or failing to fully commit to the team, especially when the franchise’s championship hopes are on the line.

This comparison echoes the majority of concerns that Embiid might follow a similar path.

This next fan, though, seems to be viewing matters from a different perspective. “Ben Simmons was never the issue this whole time lol,” they said, almost like the realization just dawned on him.

There is a small part among the 76ers fans who believe that Ben Simmons’ time in Philly might have, after all, been misunderstood.

They believe the deeper issue might have been the 76ers’ management of star players and their injury-related absences, such as the current situation with Joel Embiid.

However, this next individual is not open to any reasoning. “Just shut him down,” is what they said, suggesting that they might be better off fully sidelining Embiid rather than continuing to deal with his inconsistent availability and the lack of clarity around his injuries.

This sentiment comes as the 76ers’ season begins to slip away because of the uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s health.

Finally, this fan is extremely frustrated, and says: “Please just sit him for the year and get rid of him immediately.”

With the team’s title hopes looking like on the brink of withering, this individual believes it would be better for both the team and Embiid to shut him down for the rest of the season and focus on rebuilding or moving forward with a different roster.

But that’s easier said than done.

For one, Philly owes their top-six-protected 2025 first-round picks to the OKC Thunder.

Essentially, it complicates any talk of hitting the reset button.

Furthermore, the comment also highlights the growing disillusionment among at least a fraction of fans who are fed up with the repeated injuries and the impact it has on the team’s goals.

The road ahead for the 76ers is unclear.

But, the pressure on Joel Embiid to prove his worth and commitment is only intensifying.