Ben Simmons is becoming the biggest liability in NBA history

[NetsJets]

Interesting video that says everything that I’m seeing so far.

Watch on YouTube

[Nycspirit718]

Exaggeration.. l think he needs a competent coach

[MrDollarBills]

Overreaction. Ben needs to be put in a position to succeed. Playing in a line up with limited spacing isn't that.

[gigantes]

Listened to the first couple minutes, but it was rife with gobbledygook and assumptions, on top of reacting harshly to a tiny sample-size. Thus I swiftly closed the video, but hope down the road that podcaster gets better.

That said, I figure The Ringer does a fairer, more accurate job diagnosing the problem so far:

The Old Ben Simmons Is Still Missing

Simmons deserves time to get back into a rhythm following a long basketball hiatus. But his first week of action is a little worrisome. Back when he was with the Sixers, he was a 16/8/8 guy who played elite defense. So far with the Nets, though, he’s looked like a shell of his former self, particularly on defense. In three games, he’s logged 14 personal fouls and just 17 points.

Simmons frequently—and unnecessarily—picks up his dribble instead of attacking the paint, almost as if he’s trying to avoid getting fouled and put on the free throw line. Opponents sag off him with no fear he’ll launch a jumper, so the lane is clogged for not only Simmons, but for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, too. In no way has he improved his jumper or free throws during his prolonged absence from the court. His only attempted shot from outside of the paint was a 3-point heave and he’s missed four of his seven free throw attempts. (Worst of all, he didn’t invest any of his time off into shooting with his right hand.)

Part of the reason the Simmons-led Sixers offense still thrived in the half court is because Joel Embiid could provide space from the perimeter or dominate in the post. But Brooklyn’s centers don’t shoot, and instead feed off of rolls or cuts to the rim. Even though Simmons is timid on the attack, there’s also not much room for him to operate with.

Nets head coach Steve Nash is trying to make it work by using him as the team’s primary point guard. Simmons brings the ball up the floor on 53 percent of the possessions when he, Irving, and Durant are all in the game. That’s far more than the 29 percent for Irving, according to Second Spectrum. But when Simmons is on the bench, Irving brings the ball up 48 percent of the time, and Durant and Patty Mills see an uptick in plays initiating the offense.

The Nets take on a different personality when Simmons is in the game and it’s hurting their offensive production. Granted samples are tiny right now, but when Irving and Durant have shared the floor with Simmons, the Nets have been outscored by 23.1 points per 100 possessions, via Cleaning the Glass. And when Simmons is on the bench, lineups led by Irving and Durant have beaten teams by 10.4 points per 100 possessions.

It’s no surprise an offense with just one or even zero non-shooters is more effective than a lineup plagued by two. Nash doesn’t have many other options to increase spacing with Simmons other than to play him at center with Durant and Markieff Morris in the frontcourt. They’d maintain their switchability, but none of them are rim protectors like starting center Nic Claxton. Simmons is a beat slower on defense then he used to be anyway; he’s not flying around looking for steals or blocks.

Brooklyn’s offense would likely receive a boost if Simmons began setting more on-ball screens for Irving and Durant. He’d get more open opportunities on the roll or to create mismatches when the defense switches.

Fit has always been a concern regarding Simmons since he’s not a shooter and not big enough to be a primary rim protector. Embiid was, in theory, the perfect big man next to him. Maybe the Nets could offer some picks and young players to the Pacers for Myles Turner, or go bargain hunting in search of a center who can shoot and allow the Nets offense to breathe.

But most importantly, Simmons needs to find himself again. The player who made three straight All-Star teams from 2019 to 2021. Unless he becomes an all-world defender again, it’s hard to forgive his offensive shortcomings. And unless he finds his place on offense, there won’t be a spot for him long term in Brooklyn. The season is young, but the clock is ticking fast.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/10/26/23424276/nba-ben-simmons-sixers-jazz-blazers

All the critique seems pretty valid so far, except IMO they're giving Ben far less leeway as someone coming off significant back surgery. Because a bad back hits a person far harder than an aching limb IME. A bad back is a total side-liner for pretty much anyone.

That said, I think the critique about his shooting is 100% right-- dude is clearly way better shooting with his natural right than he is trying to maintain the farce of being 'right-handed around the rim, but lefty with his shot.'

Nevermind not being LeBron in that dept... Simmons isn't even an average NBA player in terms of being ambidextrous.

[MrDollarBills]

The Nets take on a different personality when Simmons is in the game and it’s hurting their offensive production. Granted samples are tiny right now, but when Irving and Durant have shared the floor with Simmons, the Nets have been outscored by 23.1 points per 100 possessions, via Cleaning the Glass. And when Simmons is on the bench, lineups led by Irving and Durant have beaten teams by 10.4 points per 100 possessions.

This is alarming. What is the coaching staff doing to fix this?

[NetsWorld]

Jimmy Butler allueded to Simmons lack of aggression three years ago and now it's more recognizable than before; what I hope is that he isn't getting to comfortable being around a plethora or scorers/shooters because he has to be aggressive for this "engine" to succeed. If Simmons is scared to look at the rim, it will haunt the Nets down the road, if he is aggressive and looks to score down low at the very least and make some free throws, the team will thrive. Yes, Ben, you are now the key to success along with replacing the disastrous coach in Steve Nash. I predict Ben will come around and predict Nash will be gone..... Nash will be gone sooner than people think...And no, I don't have any information but KD calling the staff out helps.

[MrDollarBills]

Jimmy Butler allueded to Simmons lack of aggression three years ago and now it's more recognizable than before; what I hope is that he isn't getting to comfortable being around a plethora or scorers/shooters because he has to be aggressive for this "engine" to succeed. If Simmons is scared to look at the rim, it will haunt the Nets down the road, if he is aggressive and looks to score down low at the very least and make some free throws, the team will thrive. Yes, Ben, you are now the key to success along with replacing the disastrous coach in Steve Nash. I predict Ben will come around and predict Nash will be gone..... Nash will be gone sooner than people think...And no, I don't have any information but KD calling the staff out helps.

I don't care if Ben goes to the FT line and shoots 2/10. He needs to drive to the rim and put pressure on the defense. Those fouls add up one way or another.

[Minnamaker]

https://es.pn/3N6BVVu

Not saying this is actual news, but finally they talk coaching on national TV. It's about time and the first step for Nash to be fired

[Karate Diop]

Yeah... Why don't we give him some time before we jump to conclusions. There are definite some concerns with how his engagement has waned quarter to quarter but he's coming back from a long layoff having dealt with undisclosed mental issues...

[bwgood77]

They need to utilize him like Jonathan Tjarks writes about here, in more of a Draymond Green role, as they have the same strengths and weaknesses but Simmons is much more athletic. I think your best lineup will be without Claxton, but they should definitely stagger him and use him more like a point center. Especially with all your shooters and scorers....

Spoiler:

There is a Plan C, one that would move Simmons off the ball and still allow him to contribute on offense: using him as a screener in the pick-and-roll. That role would unlock the best aspects of his game and keep defenses from sagging off him. Simmons would have a counter for everything—he could post up smaller defenders if they switched the screen, roll to the rim and catch lobs against a drop coverage, and make plays in four-on-three situations if they blitzed the screen. He could be a bigger and more athletic version of Draymond Green with more scoring ability. A player can be only as good as the role that he is used in. Draymond wouldn’t be anywhere near as valuable on a team that played only conventional lineups. Spending time at the 5 is even more important for Simmons because he can’t shoot. He wouldn’t have to become a role player. He could do everything that Draymond does while also averaging 20 to 25 points a game.

The problem is the 76ers’ roster construction makes such a role almost impossible. Simmons was used as the roll man only 17 times in the regular season. There is simply no room for him to do it when he’s playing next to a big man who can’t space the floor. Joel Embiid shot 30 percent from 3 on 4.1 attempts per game this season, and defenses will gladly leave him open if it prevents Simmons from getting an open lane to the rim. Philadelphia has more centers than it could ever need: Greg Monroe, Boban Marjanovic, Amir Johnson, and Jonah Bolden have all gotten minutes in the playoffs. They moved their only reliable floor-stretching big man (Mike Muscala) in the Tobias Harris trade.

The obvious solution is to go small with Simmons at the 5. What happened in the Brooklyn series is fascinating, though. Philadelphia closed the fourth quarter of Game 3, which Embiid missed with a knee injury, with Simmons at the 5. It was the best game of his playoff career: He finished with 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting, nine assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Look at how much space he has on these plays: (videos)

Simmons has the physical tools to play at the 5. He’s one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA: He’s guarded D’Angelo Russell and Kawhi Leonard this postseason; there’s no reason that he couldn’t hold his own against even the biggest centers, too. Simmons towers over both Draymond and P.J. Tucker, the two small-ball 5s in the second-round series between the Warriors and the Rockets. That said, it wouldn’t be an easy transition. Draymond and Tucker were second-round picks who fought their way into the league. They were willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant giving up their bodies to bang against bigger players in the paint.

https://www.theringer.com/2019/5/9/18537564/play-ben-simmons-at-center-philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid

[NetsJets]

They need to utilize him like Jonathan Tjarks writes about here, in more of a Draymond Green role, as they have the same strengths and weaknesses but Simmons is much more athletic. I think your best lineup will be without Claxton, but they should definitely stagger him and use him more like a point center. Especially with all your shooters and scorers....

Spoiler:

There is a Plan C, one that would move Simmons off the ball and still allow him to contribute on offense: using him as a screener in the pick-and-roll. That role would unlock the best aspects of his game and keep defenses from sagging off him. Simmons would have a counter for everything—he could post up smaller defenders if they switched the screen, roll to the rim and catch lobs against a drop coverage, and make plays in four-on-three situations if they blitzed the screen. He could be a bigger and more athletic version of Draymond Green with more scoring ability. A player can be only as good as the role that he is used in. Draymond wouldn’t be anywhere near as valuable on a team that played only conventional lineups. Spending time at the 5 is even more important for Simmons because he can’t shoot. He wouldn’t have to become a role player. He could do everything that Draymond does while also averaging 20 to 25 points a game.

The problem is the 76ers’ roster construction makes such a role almost impossible. Simmons was used as the roll man only 17 times in the regular season. There is simply no room for him to do it when he’s playing next to a big man who can’t space the floor. Joel Embiid shot 30 percent from 3 on 4.1 attempts per game this season, and defenses will gladly leave him open if it prevents Simmons from getting an open lane to the rim. Philadelphia has more centers than it could ever need: Greg Monroe, Boban Marjanovic, Amir Johnson, and Jonah Bolden have all gotten minutes in the playoffs. They moved their only reliable floor-stretching big man (Mike Muscala) in the Tobias Harris trade.

The obvious solution is to go small with Simmons at the 5. What happened in the Brooklyn series is fascinating, though. Philadelphia closed the fourth quarter of Game 3, which Embiid missed with a knee injury, with Simmons at the 5. It was the best game of his playoff career: He finished with 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting, nine assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Look at how much space he has on these plays: (videos)

Simmons has the physical tools to play at the 5. He’s one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA: He’s guarded D’Angelo Russell and Kawhi Leonard this postseason; there’s no reason that he couldn’t hold his own against even the biggest centers, too. Simmons towers over both Draymond and P.J. Tucker, the two small-ball 5s in the second-round series between the Warriors and the Rockets. That said, it wouldn’t be an easy transition. Draymond and Tucker were second-round picks who fought their way into the league. They were willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant giving up their bodies to bang against bigger players in the paint.

https://www.theringer.com/2019/5/9/18537564/play-ben-simmons-at-center-philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid

Draymond will shoot to keep defenses honest and he’s much more aggressive on offense. On top of that Ben’s defense has regressed. And he’s not a good half court guy due to his limitations and he doesn’t really push the ball to create for himself or others anymore. Even if he plays center number 1 he’s taking a spot away from a much better player (Claxton) 2 he’s not aggressive enough to take advantage of mismatches against bigger centers, 3 he’s constantly getting abused in the low post.

[Decipher]

They need to utilize him like Jonathan Tjarks writes about here, in more of a Draymond Green role, as they have the same strengths and weaknesses but Simmons is much more athletic. I think your best lineup will be without Claxton, but they should definitely stagger him and use him more like a point center. Especially with all your shooters and scorers....

Spoiler:

There is a Plan C, one that would move Simmons off the ball and still allow him to contribute on offense: using him as a screener in the pick-and-roll. That role would unlock the best aspects of his game and keep defenses from sagging off him. Simmons would have a counter for everything—he could post up smaller defenders if they switched the screen, roll to the rim and catch lobs against a drop coverage, and make plays in four-on-three situations if they blitzed the screen. He could be a bigger and more athletic version of Draymond Green with more scoring ability. A player can be only as good as the role that he is used in. Draymond wouldn’t be anywhere near as valuable on a team that played only conventional lineups. Spending time at the 5 is even more important for Simmons because he can’t shoot. He wouldn’t have to become a role player. He could do everything that Draymond does while also averaging 20 to 25 points a game.

The problem is the 76ers’ roster construction makes such a role almost impossible. Simmons was used as the roll man only 17 times in the regular season. There is simply no room for him to do it when he’s playing next to a big man who can’t space the floor. Joel Embiid shot 30 percent from 3 on 4.1 attempts per game this season, and defenses will gladly leave him open if it prevents Simmons from getting an open lane to the rim. Philadelphia has more centers than it could ever need: Greg Monroe, Boban Marjanovic, Amir Johnson, and Jonah Bolden have all gotten minutes in the playoffs. They moved their only reliable floor-stretching big man (Mike Muscala) in the Tobias Harris trade.

The obvious solution is to go small with Simmons at the 5. What happened in the Brooklyn series is fascinating, though. Philadelphia closed the fourth quarter of Game 3, which Embiid missed with a knee injury, with Simmons at the 5. It was the best game of his playoff career: He finished with 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting, nine assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Look at how much space he has on these plays: (videos)

Simmons has the physical tools to play at the 5. He’s one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA: He’s guarded D’Angelo Russell and Kawhi Leonard this postseason; there’s no reason that he couldn’t hold his own against even the biggest centers, too. Simmons towers over both Draymond and P.J. Tucker, the two small-ball 5s in the second-round series between the Warriors and the Rockets. That said, it wouldn’t be an easy transition. Draymond and Tucker were second-round picks who fought their way into the league. They were willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant giving up their bodies to bang against bigger players in the paint.

https://www.theringer.com/2019/5/9/18537564/play-ben-simmons-at-center-philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid

Draymond will shoot to keep defenses honest and he’s much more aggressive on offense. On top of that Ben’s defense has regressed. And he’s not a good half court guy due to his limitations and he doesn’t really push the ball to create for himself or others anymore. Even if he plays center number 1 he’s taking a spot away from a much better player (Claxton) 2 he’s not aggressive enough to take advantage of mismatches against bigger centers, 3 he’s constantly getting abused in the low post.

Simmons defense was generally very good tonight & we got torched when he was off the floor

Having said that< i am convinced that he's nowhere near healthy

[bwgood77]

They need to utilize him like Jonathan Tjarks writes about here, in more of a Draymond Green role, as they have the same strengths and weaknesses but Simmons is much more athletic. I think your best lineup will be without Claxton, but they should definitely stagger him and use him more like a point center. Especially with all your shooters and scorers....

Spoiler:

There is a Plan C, one that would move Simmons off the ball and still allow him to contribute on offense: using him as a screener in the pick-and-roll. That role would unlock the best aspects of his game and keep defenses from sagging off him. Simmons would have a counter for everything—he could post up smaller defenders if they switched the screen, roll to the rim and catch lobs against a drop coverage, and make plays in four-on-three situations if they blitzed the screen. He could be a bigger and more athletic version of Draymond Green with more scoring ability. A player can be only as good as the role that he is used in. Draymond wouldn’t be anywhere near as valuable on a team that played only conventional lineups. Spending time at the 5 is even more important for Simmons because he can’t shoot. He wouldn’t have to become a role player. He could do everything that Draymond does while also averaging 20 to 25 points a game.

The problem is the 76ers’ roster construction makes such a role almost impossible. Simmons was used as the roll man only 17 times in the regular season. There is simply no room for him to do it when he’s playing next to a big man who can’t space the floor. Joel Embiid shot 30 percent from 3 on 4.1 attempts per game this season, and defenses will gladly leave him open if it prevents Simmons from getting an open lane to the rim. Philadelphia has more centers than it could ever need: Greg Monroe, Boban Marjanovic, Amir Johnson, and Jonah Bolden have all gotten minutes in the playoffs. They moved their only reliable floor-stretching big man (Mike Muscala) in the Tobias Harris trade.

The obvious solution is to go small with Simmons at the 5. What happened in the Brooklyn series is fascinating, though. Philadelphia closed the fourth quarter of Game 3, which Embiid missed with a knee injury, with Simmons at the 5. It was the best game of his playoff career: He finished with 31 points on 11-for-13 shooting, nine assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Look at how much space he has on these plays: (videos)

Simmons has the physical tools to play at the 5. He’s one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA: He’s guarded D’Angelo Russell and Kawhi Leonard this postseason; there’s no reason that he couldn’t hold his own against even the biggest centers, too. Simmons towers over both Draymond and P.J. Tucker, the two small-ball 5s in the second-round series between the Warriors and the Rockets. That said, it wouldn’t be an easy transition. Draymond and Tucker were second-round picks who fought their way into the league. They were willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant giving up their bodies to bang against bigger players in the paint.

https://www.theringer.com/2019/5/9/18537564/play-ben-simmons-at-center-philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid

Draymond will shoot to keep defenses honest and he’s much more aggressive on offense. On top of that Ben’s defense has regressed. And he’s not a good half court guy due to his limitations and he doesn’t really push the ball to create for himself or others anymore. Even if he plays center number 1 he’s taking a spot away from a much better player (Claxton) 2 he’s not aggressive enough to take advantage of mismatches against bigger centers, 3 he’s constantly getting abused in the low post.

Draymond doesn't do much shooting far from the rim...he certainly doesn't have to be guarded outside of 10 ft. Simmons (2 years ago) shot alot more from 3-10 ft than Draymond did last year, and they shot overall about the same # of shots outside of 3 ft total. Draymond is a 25% 3pt shooter so he shouldn't be shooting them. He does shoot a better % in that 3-10 ft range but Simmons took almost 250 shots (and is pretty good with the hook shot from there..nearly 50% - see below) from there. If you look at Draymond's splits, as a jump shooter he is under 30%, Simmons is better than that. Simmons yes, may be more hesitant to shoot more but neither really have to be guarded further from the rim, and Simmons is a better passer, and can switch and stick with more players on defense.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greendr01/shooting/2022



https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simmobe01/shooting/2021

[bwgood77]

Nets players and coaches have repeatedly stood behind Simmons in his return and through his slow start. Simmons is averaging just 5.7 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists over his first four games. He has fouled out in two of the four games and is averaging 3.7 turnovers per 28 minutes. Despite the fact the Nets have started slowly with a 1-3 record, Irving and the rest of his teammates still say they believe better days are ahead for Simmons and the group.

"I just think like, if we're going to come in and be honest as a team, I'm not trying to just be critical over what Ben's done right or done wrong every single night," Irving said. "He's a basketball player, he's a professional, he has the skills to be a great professional, he's done it in the past. And he hasn't played in two years. So you guys keep coming in here asking me, 'What about Ben?' 'What about Ben?' and it's just he hasn't played in two years. Give him a f---ing chance."

Kyrie gave a passionate defense of Simmons in a news conference after the game. Kyrie Irving urges patience with Ben Simmons after the Nets' loss to the Bucks. Irving has defended Simmons several times since training camp and has given him advice about how to navigate some of the vitriol he has dealt with on social media.

"We stay on his s---," Irving said. "I wish I could say other words 'cause I'm from Jersey, but we stay on him. You just stay on him and we're just here to give him positive affirmations and just let him hoop. And then while he's hooping and getting back into it, we're going to really have to jell as a team in order to learn how to win as a group. It's not an individual job to go out there and be Superman."

Simmons said he "definitely" feels better on offense after each game.

"I think each game I feel more comfortable," Simmons said. "I think once I got hit and tweaked my back a little bit I was a little hesitant after that, as you guys could probably see, but I definitely feel like in each game I'm progressing a little bit in terms of my physicality and aggression."

Simmons tweaked his back in the first quarter but remained in the game. He is hopeful he'll be able to play in Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Nash continues to outwardly support Simmons and spent several minutes with him after Wednesday's shootaround going through different ways to impact the game.

"He's a huge piece of our team," Nash said, "and we just got to support him and keep working with him and trying to give him as much confidence as possible. ... We do what we can every day. We watch film, we talk, we prepare for games. And in time it's going to work, it's just going to take time and we have to have some patience and we all have to participate in this and fight for it."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34886974/kyrie-irving-explains-shoot-ball-plea-ben-simmons-brooklyn-nets-loss

[MrDollarBills]

Nets players and coaches have repeatedly stood behind Simmons in his return and through his slow start. Simmons is averaging just 5.7 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists over his first four games. He has fouled out in two of the four games and is averaging 3.7 turnovers per 28 minutes. Despite the fact the Nets have started slowly with a 1-3 record, Irving and the rest of his teammates still say they believe better days are ahead for Simmons and the group.

"I just think like, if we're going to come in and be honest as a team, I'm not trying to just be critical over what Ben's done right or done wrong every single night," Irving said. "He's a basketball player, he's a professional, he has the skills to be a great professional, he's done it in the past. And he hasn't played in two years. So you guys keep coming in here asking me, 'What about Ben?' 'What about Ben?' and it's just he hasn't played in two years. Give him a f---ing chance."

Kyrie gave a passionate defense of Simmons in a news conference after the game. Kyrie Irving urges patience with Ben Simmons after the Nets' loss to the Bucks. Irving has defended Simmons several times since training camp and has given him advice about how to navigate some of the vitriol he has dealt with on social media.

"We stay on his s---," Irving said. "I wish I could say other words 'cause I'm from Jersey, but we stay on him. You just stay on him and we're just here to give him positive affirmations and just let him hoop. And then while he's hooping and getting back into it, we're going to really have to jell as a team in order to learn how to win as a group. It's not an individual job to go out there and be Superman."

Simmons said he "definitely" feels better on offense after each game.

"I think each game I feel more comfortable," Simmons said. "I think once I got hit and tweaked my back a little bit I was a little hesitant after that, as you guys could probably see, but I definitely feel like in each game I'm progressing a little bit in terms of my physicality and aggression."

Simmons tweaked his back in the first quarter but remained in the game. He is hopeful he'll be able to play in Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Nash continues to outwardly support Simmons and spent several minutes with him after Wednesday's shootaround going through different ways to impact the game.

"He's a huge piece of our team," Nash said, "and we just got to support him and keep working with him and trying to give him as much confidence as possible. ... We do what we can every day. We watch film, we talk, we prepare for games. And in time it's going to work, it's just going to take time and we have to have some patience and we all have to participate in this and fight for it."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34886974/kyrie-irving-explains-shoot-ball-plea-ben-simmons-brooklyn-nets-loss

Simmons looked better last night than the other previous 3 games. I just think that the Nets need to face facts that playing him and Claxton together is not working. When Nash had one of them w/ 4 shooters around them they were so much better.

[CalamityX12]

Simmons, IMO, should be playing faster, less thinking for now. (honestly the whole team should be playing speed ball)

Get simmons running and just concentrate a fast pace Offense that drives to the rim.

Kyrie
Sumner
Harris
Simmons
Claxton

run it.. interchange with yuta for harris if need be, but gotta be a fast paced demolition crew.... just play fast, score, draw fouls, give up pts here n there so be it....

Push the ball up tiempo, no half court sets, play fast.

[MrDollarBills]

It's crazy that everyone is focused on Ben passing the ball out to KD for a made basket instead of taking a lower % shot in the paint against three defenders.

Sixers fans are also just really pathetic.

[Vampirate]

If you guys get anything close to 76ers Ben Simmons at the end of the year then you are a championship contender.

What the current version of Ben Simmons is going to get you is a first round playoff exit. You can't win anything if your third star is shooting 33% from the free throw line. Teams will just employ a hack a Simmons and Ben will never be on the floor at the end of the game in crunch time.

Forget the three pointers, a Ben Simmons that relishes getting to the free throw line would do wonders for you.

[Riconet]

I think it's 80% likely that Simmons has peaked and is now in decline.

Among other factors, I don't think he has anywhere near the intensity and determination that are needed to come all the way back from back surgery and to improve his game.

I'm a Marks supporter, but I think he should've gotten a better primary asset back for Harden. In any case, I expect him to pay someone to take Simmons next summer as part of the rebuild once this train wreck of a season is over.

[TheNetsFan]

Ben's athleticism is missing, specifically his elevation. I don't know if it's physical (i.e. still impacted by the back issues), conditioning (needs to work back into shape) or a mental block/fear of re-injury. He's just very land locked. He's barely getting to rim level for a tip, on a rebound that should be a put back dunk for most players, especially players his size. On some of his drives it seems like he expects to take off for a dunk or layup, but never gets the lift. It's concerning because pinched nerves in your back can affect pain and strength in your legs.

If he can get lift & athleticism back, Ben will be fine. Land locked Ben is trouble.