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Last year I think we all had Ben Simmons conversation burnout. He was talked about way too much for a guy who didn't play. In a way, I'm reticent to start a thread about him because of that. On the other hand, he's the biggest question mark going into the season and I'm wondering where people are at with him. Are we all shrugging our collective shoulders? How much of all of this is his back? How much his motivation? How much his situation in Philly? How much his work ethic?

We know he CAN play at an all-star level. We know he should be entering his prime. We know he has an injury history and we know to question his mindset. What does all of this mean for the upcoming year? In theory, he SHOULD fit well with Irving and Durant on the court. What will he do with all eyes on him, though?

p.s. I understand he's a prime joke target, but I would appreciate more inquiry and insight than jokes in this thread.

There's obviously a ton of if around Simmons.

My most plausible expectation is that he's back on-court (likely missing some games with secondary injury issues through the year so around the 66 games in the poll), but not at peak levels. He's slightly down physically and also more passive (perhaps lingering fear of missing too many FTs). So he's a starter-level player but not an all-star.

Hoping my team makes a move for him. He’s a terrific buy low candidate. There is a substantial risk but he is worth it.

JRoy wrote:Hoping my team makes a move for him. He’s a terrific buy low candidate. There is a substantial risk but he is worth it.

Me too-I would think about DeRozan (who I really like) and CWhite for Simmons-a huge gamble but a big winner if it hits

A similar thread could be made regarding how many jump shots he will take this season

I voted that he plays at an All-Star level and 66+ games.

Not sure if he actually makes the All-Star team. Lots of guards in the East now: Irving, Harden, Young, Ball, Mitchell, Garland, Beal, Lavine, VanVleet, Murray will all be fighting with him for those 6-8 spots. But I think he will average 15/7/7 and have a big defensive impact.

As much as I don't like saying it, people are really sleeping on the Nets, man...

The conversation should start with how out of shape he is, and how long it'll take him to get back up to speed. Injuries are a distinct possibility because of this, as well.

Ben Simmons does EVERYTHING the nets need rn. He pushes in transition. Nobody else on that team does. He defends all positions at an elite level, half their team can’t guard their own position.
He can post up, kd is the only other guy who can.
He can screen the create off it. There is maybe one other roll threat on the whole team.
He’s the best rebounder.

As long as he can understand that him getting fouled and shooting under 70 percent is still great offense, he can have a career year in terms of impact, even if the counting stats don’t look much different

Unless Simmons magically learned how to shoot, I would expect the same old stuff from him.

14 / 7 / 7 type stuff, misses 15+ games with various injuries and rest (I doubt he plays in Philly for example)

He could thrive with the Nets if he commits to playing in the open floor with KD and Kyrie. With their shooting, Ben can feast on the interior and be a disruptor in the passing lanes, leading to easy buckets for the duo. Toss in Mills' shooting alongside Joe's marksmanship and you have a the basis of a terrifying offense. The question is on the defensive end where he will have to cover for Ky, Mills and Joe and potentially Durant as he ages and slows down.

But the Nets can make this squad into a formidable opponent if everyone buys in and plays up to their potential.

Dopy candidate

It's really anyone's guess how Nash employs him, he's claimed he'll use Ben as a center (think Diaw on steroids) but it wouldn't be the first time Nash had said one thing and done another...

Ben Simmons is one of the biggest question marks in the NBA. If he's healthy, he's will be a Defensive Player Of the Year Candidate, while also being a 15/8/8 guy. There's also a chance that he looks much worse than he did for the 76ers, but I don't think that would be likely at all(unless they are other problems involved).

I'm sure he'll not play and find a way to be a complete and total wuss about not playing and get paid anyway by saying him being a wuss is a big mental health problem and the NBA will kowtow to it because they are a complete joke that kowtows to wusses.

while he plays he will be very good. motivated, unencumbered ,
then something will happen and he will implode

i don't believe you truly fix what's going on upstairs

JShuttlesworth wrote:Unless Simmons magically learned how to shoot, I would expect the same old stuff from him.

14 / 7 / 7 type stuff, misses 15+ games with various injuries and rest (I doubt he plays in Philly for example)

+DPOY level defense while putting insane downhill pressure on the opposing defense. It sounds like he will be a great addition


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Another 3rd Team All-NBA, or 2nd or 1st Team All-NBA, with the luxury of a better supporting cast of perimeter shooters than Philly had, and another great chance to win Defensive Player Of The Year.

Will spend just as much time playing Call of Duty as he does basketball.

I like the fact that so far voters in this poll are tilting optimistic. I do hope for good stuff for and from him. I'm not buying him as a solution at the 5, other than spot minutes, but he SHOULD mesh beautifully with Irving and Durant. It will take time to get the rust off and the stamina back, but if his teammates welcome him and encourage him (and nudge him in the butt a bit) I can't see why he doesn't make it work.

He’s gonna be motivated.

3-4 years ago, it’s taboo in the Sixers community to compare Ben Simmons to Draymond Green. And right now everyone is OK with that.

Taboo to say Wiggins is gonna be better than Ben Simmons. Brandon Ingram is gonna be better than Ben Simmons.

Remember that Donovan Mitchell vs Ben Simmons ROY battle?

It’s already or already very close to be acceptable for the league to slide him to be just a role player.

Ben is all about the awards (hell, he even won that Nickelodeon Kid’s choice award) to get recognition and qualify for the supermax.

Believe it or not, he’s onced an All NBA team member as a guard. Is he a top 15-20 NBA player?

He’s not gonna settle to just set screens for Durant and catch lobs, you don’t get PAID for that.