Is Ben Simmons simply not talented enough to warrant the hype he's received?

[Willie Colon]

Definitely talented, but either his mentality is shot, or his back issues have severely hindered his athleticism.

The back issue seems more likely to me. Larry Johnson was basically Zion Williamson prior to his back injuries. DeShawn Stevenson had a 45 inch vertical and was an explosive athlete before back issues.

Even with his refusal to shoot the ball, his size, defense, passing, and athleticism allowed him to still be a positive player for a while.

[kuclas]

Definitely talented, but either his mentality is shot, or his back issues have severely hindered his athleticism.

The back issue seems more likely to me. Larry Johnson was basically Zion Williamson prior to his back injuries. DeShawn Stevenson had a 45 inch vertical and was an explosive athlete before back issues.

Even with his refusal to shoot the ball, his size, defense, passing, and athleticism allowed him to still be a positive player for a while.

Unfortunately in todays nba. Unless Simmons learns to shoot which he won’t. And perceived lack of explosiveness due to the back. He’s pretty useless besides defense.

He’s never been known as a good rebounder or post defender. He’s a perimeter defender with speed and above average handles in open court.

But add in the psychological aspect of not even wanting to attack the rim. He keeps passing up even 5 foot push shots he used to attempt regularly. It’s a bad sign. A very bad sign. And it’s not like defenders are taller than him. Most of them are 3-5 inches shorter than he is with the 5 foot push shot he doesn’t want to attempt.

Give it another till end of the season. Maybe things will
Turn around. But he’s due so much money. I don’t think there is any incentive for him.

[Raps in 4]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

[ArksNetsSince99]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

Shaquille O’Neal says hello

[Def Leppard]

Define talent

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[djsunyc]

markelle fultz could've easily went down this same path. changed shooting mechanics which drastically effected his career. constantly hurt too.

but he worked on his game and himself and was able to overcome his issues to the point of becoming a very solid starting pg.

but not everyone is wired the same way. each person has their own struggles to get through.

[magee]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

Yup.

[D.Brasco]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

Shaquille O’Neal says hello

Shaq would have likely ripped down the backboard in this same spot, they are not the same...

[Ugalde]

Simmons is obviously done. just a guy we have to talk about for another year or two until everyone accepts he's done. he's never going to be a good player again.

[KGtabake]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

The best player in the world in the last 3-4 years can't shoot. That didn't stop him from winning any award available and a championship.
The most fundamental skill is mindset. And Simmons ship for the right mindset has sailed.

[Raps in 4]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

The best player in the world in the last 3-4 years can't shoot. That didn't stop him from winning any award available and a championship.
The most fundamental skill is mindset. And Simmons ship for the right mindset has sailed.

Giannis isn't an elite shooter, but he can still hit a jumper from anywhere on the floor. He's also way more physically gifted than Simmons.

[Raps in 4]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

Shaquille O’Neal says hello

Shaq was one of the most physically gifted players of all time. He also played in a different era.

Simmons has no unique physical qualities. He's strong and athletic, but he's not a freak.

[aggo]

he is checked out, and you can see it in his practice tape.

How do we know?

Watch how much care he puts into his jumpers in any of the drills hes partaking in. Every single one of his teammates will put up their shots and have the same form and consistency make or miss.

When its Simmons' turn to put up his jumpers? The guy is leaning left on some reps. leaning right on other reps. Then his feet are set differently on every rep. Half his reps he is kicking out one foot on the follow through, the other half he isn't.

the guy has mailed it in. He gave up and wants the checks.

[ItsDanger]

I hear he's pretty good at Call of Duty.

[Joshyjess]

I don't know what you guys are talking about???? I mean, the guys a stud. Just look at the game tonight. in 20 minutes Simmons put up the amazing line of 2 points (he actually hit half of his shot attempts), 4 boards and 4 assists!!!!! And all of that with 5 personal fouls! I mean if you can't get behind numbers like that, then I just don't know what to say!!!

[One Last Shot]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

Shaquille O’Neal says hello

A dunk is a shot attempt or if you don't agree, Shaq has one of the best hook "shot" in the NBA.

[zionland]

He’s a confidence player. Coach needs to leave him in until he rebuilds his confidence however it’s not going to happen under Vaughan

[Nuntius]

I've been calling him a bust for years now.

He's missing one of the most fundamental skills needed in basketball: a shot. I don't care how good his defence and passing is. If you can't shoot, you aren't very talented.

The best player in the world in the last 3-4 years can't shoot. That didn't stop him from winning any award available and a championship.
The most fundamental skill is mindset. And Simmons ship for the right mindset has sailed.

Giannis isn't an elite shooter, but he can still hit a jumper from anywhere on the floor. He's also way more physically gifted than Simmons.

And the other important difference is that Giannis WILL shοot when he's wide open. If the defense gives him an open 3, he will take it. Simmons just wouldn't take that shot and that had a deleterious effect on his team's spacing. Even if you suck at shooting, you HAVE to take those wide open shots. Giannis understands that. Ben never did.

[Duke4life831]

Let’s not forget there have been major red flags on if he ever cared that much about basketball to begin with. Talk about this has been around him since high school. Not too shocked all of this began to happen right around the time he signed his max deal.

I’m pretty sure the last time he made the all star game was the first year of his Max deal. Then once any kind of speed bump came along he just mentally bounced. I honestly just don’t think he gives a crap. He was handed all the physical tools anyone could ask for, put in just enough work to get the big contract then just stopped caring. Dude is going to have made probably roughly 200 mil by the end of this deal. I think he’s accomplished everything he wanted to from basketball, gained fame and generational wealth.

[hippesthippo]

Sometimes being ambidextrous is a huge advantage. Switch hitting in baseball. Finishing at the rim and throwing ridiculous passes in basketball.

And sometimes it isn't and it just short-circuits a player's brain. Ben Simmons not understanding which hand to shoot a basketball with is a good example of this.

Let’s not forget there have been major red flags on if he ever cared that much about basketball to begin with. Talk about this has been around him since high school. Not too shocked all of this began to happen right around the time he signed his max deal.

I’m pretty sure the last time he made the all star game was the first year of his Max deal. Then once any kind of speed bump came along he just mentally bounced. I honestly just don’t think he gives a crap. He was handed all the physical tools anyone could ask for, put in just enough work to get the big contract then just stopped caring. Dude is going to have made probably roughly 200 mil by the end of this deal. I think he’s accomplished everything he wanted to from basketball, gained fame and generational wealth.

I remember the talk about his effort and love for the game starting up the minute he chose LSU for his one year of college. It confused just about everybody, myself included. "Well, he just wanted his own team so he could really show out."

Nope, nope, nope. He just wanted to be on a bad team so he could do whatever he wanted and have a built in excuse when they lost.

EDITED: Typing before coffee not advised.