Ben Simmons was in a joking mood about his return to Philadelphia. When asked about returning to his first NBA home to play the 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets big man playfully played it off.

"I'm ready to play," he said, before adding, "Something going on?" causing the assembled media to break into laughter.

Simmons again joked when asked if there's been enough time for any hard feelings Sixers fans may have for him to have passed, by saying "In Philly?"

Simmons then got serious about what he knows he's facing.

"I know what's coming. That's part of the game. Philly fans, one thing about Philly fans is they are incredible. They are die-hard Philly and they are everything Philly, whatever it is. I respect that about the city. It's a sports town. I was talking to I think Yuta (Watanabe) before the game about what it's like to play in Philly, and it's an incredible opportunity to put on whatever jersey it is.

"That's Philly, and it's a unique experience."

Simmons then added he's got a lot of love for Philadelphia.

"I was 18 years old coming into Philly, so it's really the only place I've lived as an adult. So I have a lot of love for that city," he said. "People don't know that, but a lot of my best friends are from Philadelphia. My brother still lives in Philadelphia. So regardless of the situation, whatever happened, happened. But I got a lot of love for that city still, so I look forward to going down there and playing."