Ben Simmons‘ inconsistent availability and underwhelming production has been a building source of frustration within the Nets‘ organization in recent weeks, according to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell Charania and Amick that some Brooklyn coaches and players have been concerned about Simmons’ “availability and level of play” and that some have questioned his passion for the game. The report is similar to one from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski earlier this month.
Simmons, who made his regular season debut with the Nets last month after recovering from back surgery, has missed five games in recent weeks due to a left knee issue. When he has played, he hasn’t looked like his old All-Star self — up until Tuesday, when he scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, the 26-year-old hadn’t scored double-digit points or made more than three field goals in any game this season.
Speaking to The Athletic, Simmons admitted that he’s aware of the criticisms being levied at him and understands them, but said that his physical issues – both the back and the knee – have significantly hampered him.
“You’re obviously not gonna be happy when anybody’s out,” Simmons said. “But for me, I’ve been dealing with the knee since the start of the season. It’s been swollen. I had PRP (injections). I had blood drained a couple times. So it’s not a made up thing, you know? It’s a real thing.
“… I’m on full overload with treatment, everything I need to do to stay out there. I’m just spending more time on the table, honestly, more downtime (where) I’m literally just leg up, icing, doing whatever I need to do – sleeping.”
Simmons said his back issues first flared up in February 2020, but that his back has been feeling much better since he went under the knife to address the injury.
“Yeah (the knee is a bigger problem than the back), which is good,” Simmons said. “And that’s one thing with the league. You’ll be starting to have some (trouble) with one thing and then you’re thinking about your ankle or your leg or whatever it is. That’s gonna happen, but getting it under control is the most important part for me.”
Simmons was the centerpiece of the trade package the Nets received when they sent James Harden to Philadelphia last season and was viewed as part of the team’s potential “Big Three,” alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The thinking was that Simmons’ defense and play-making would make him an ideal complement for two elite scorers like Durant and Irving.
However, Simmons hasn’t looked this season like the same player he was in Philadelphia. According to Charania and Amick, Markieff Morris spoke during a players-only meeting on October 29 about how the team needs Simmons to play at a high level and respond to adversity in order to succeed, and club officials and teammates have been in frequent contact with the former No. 1 overall pick to try to make him comfortable in Brooklyn.
After starting at point guard and averaging 31.8 minutes in his first six games this season, Simmons has come off the bench as a center in his four most recent outings, logging just 18.7 MPG. The Nets will need him to play a larger role to make a deep run in the postseason, and Tuesday’s performance provided a glimmer of hope. For his part, Simmons says he’s determined to get past his injury issues and help the team.
“I get (the skepticism), but I think the one thing with me is that I’m a competitor,” he told The Athletic. “I want to win and play. So I’m gonna do what I can to get out there.”
As Nick Friedell of ESPN tweets, Simmons told reporters on Tuesday that he also feels as if the rust from missing the entire 2021/22 season is coming off one game at a time.
“It takes time to build up,” Simmons said. “Especially with a nerve injury, it takes 18 months for your nerve to fully heal, and people don’t know that, but over time I get better and better. Just keep pushing.”
Imagine you’re Ben Simmons what would you spend your money on? Cuz I saw the dude on national tv last night lose to the sacamenna kings and he looked like the worst player on the court by FAR.
He is playing hurt did you forget what was said or did you ignore that part? Nothing to do with his money spending
Unhungry rich kid
Yes, “hurt”.
Gee, why did the 76ers trade him ?
He asked for a trade
Your username rings true here.
Ben choked his way out for a trade.
I admit, I thought he’d come back a beast….Clearly I was wrong
He didn’t even look bad last night, but hardly a difference maker and only played 20 mins in a blowout loss to the Kings. Guy hasn’t liked playing basketball since LSU and probably earlier. Refusal to learn how to shoot in a league where guys like Brook Lopez, Myles Turner, KAT etc have improved their shooting dramatically since they came in. Comes across as entitled yet soft. Might honestly be time to hang ‘em up young blood. It’s issue after issue.
Ultimately Ben needs to understand that the perception surrounding him is a consequence of his own actions. The back and the knee very well may be legitimate injuries, but ultimately the perception is justifiably influenced by the fact that he was out for a year with hurt feefees.
Nice post Tom
I think moving forward scouts are going to have to factor mental makeup in a whole lot more
In a generation so self infatuated with itself it could help avoiding these potential landlines and keep a cleaner locker room
Ben has to be on a team that is out of the public eye that’s not expected to do much to make a comeback.
The expectations for the Nets are non sensible and are now clearly getting ready to pull some trades off.
Say your goodbyes to the big names now.
Maybe docs fault,maybe jojo’s fault, maybe moreys fault, maybe philly fans fault. Go play in China baby ben.
Ben is a hot mess! Most of his issues are between his ears.
Simmons, Kylie, Westbrook, Harden were in mvp discussions just a few years ago.
They’re not washed up, they just either can’t or won’t stay on the court.
Maybe the same thing with Sean Elliot.
Kawhi (not Elliot).