Fans mock Ben Simmons after Brooklyn Nets shut him down for season: “bro needa gear up for the shanghai sharks”
Ben Simmons will be shut down for the remainder of the season given the nerve problems he's dealing with in his back, Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaugn said on Tuesday. Given that Brooklyn finds itself in the playoff race, fans delivered hilarious reactions on Twitter.
Fans wasted no time going to work with jokes.
The Nets have ruled out Ben Simmons for the remainder of the season. Simmons is beginning a rehab program on his back, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn says.
@ShamsCharania bro needa gear up for the shanghai sharks
@ShamsCharania Nets fans and Sixers fans banning together to hate on Ben Simmons https://t.co/8EzE7jZlt8
@ShamsCharania Live Footage of Ben Simmons hard at work rehabbing and doing everything he can to get back on the court to do what he loves best https://t.co/XblwZJzGMh
@ShamsCharania https://t.co/DCp6FT9u7d
@ShamsCharania 準備好學習中文夥伴 https://t.co/1MPZbQYqJD
@ShamsCharania Ben Simmons next season: https://t.co/jAexZADHDV
@ShamsCharania china
@ShamsCharania Ben Simmons next season: https://t.co/jAexZADHDV
@ShamsCharania https://t.co/jJGZKGBmbC
@ShamsCharania https://t.co/YmswcAp7MG
@ShamsCharania Ben Simmons welcome to Japan https://t.co/lo7kzT8Mda
@ShamsCharania https://t.co/YVfkh52X9k
@ShamsCharania https://t.co/NRpqnLs0Ig
@ShamsCharania https://t.co/2hawv8lSK5
@ShamsCharania His new home. Dwight will be awaiting his arrival. https://t.co/jBya9m25qs
Ben Simmons' frustrating run with the Brooklyn Nets
Although this season was supposed to be Ben Simmons' big return to the floor after missing the entirety of last season, he missed that mark by a wide margin. In 42 games, he averaged career lows in scoring, rebounding and assists. He finished with more fouls (139) than shots made (133).
At times, he looked to be playing himself back into rhythm. At other points, he showed tentativeness that drew criticism from his own teammates, namely Kyrie Irving. In one notable incident, Simmons passed up a wide-open look as Irving was caught on an open mic pleading with him to shoot.
Once the team parted ways with both Durant and Irving in early February, many expected Simmons to play a larger role in the team. However, that wasn't the case as Simmons last played Feb. 15 and had one start (two points, four rebounds and six assists in 26 minutes) in the wake of the departures of Irving and Durant.
Although he's dealt with back problems, just last week there was no talk of shutting the former All-Star down for the year. As he progressed through his rehab, Jacque Vaughn made it clear that the team had no plans to shut Ben Simmons down for the year.
In fact, Vaughn went as far as telling media members that there were "zero" conversations taking place about shutting Simmons down for the year.
At the same time, there were reports that the team believed he would play again this season, leading many to assume that he would be back for the playoffs. With the latest news, Ben Simmons won't be back in action until next year.
In the meantime, the team has its sights set on a big playoff push to build momentum for the future. With the Nets (40-35) sixth in the Eastern Conference they hope to stave off the play-in tournament.
Given the four first-round picks and the pick swap acquired thanks to the Kevin Durant trade, the franchise seems to be in a good position. Whether or not Simmons is able to return to All-Star form and make key contributions during the years to come, only time will tell.