"His back is completely done": NBA reddit attribute Ben Simmons' ineffective ball to chronic injury woes
SCHEDULE FOR 3:45 IST. Going into the 2016 draft, there were a handful of NBA teams tussling to sign Ben Simmons. The former LSU guard was one of the most sought after players in his draft class and would end up being selected as the No. 1 pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately, Simmons' career has not panned out the way many analysts expected. Injuries have hampered the 28-year-old's career and the situation don't seem to be getting any better in his ninth year.
During the Brooklyn Nets' 130-101 home loss against Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, Simmons once again struggled. The Australian native started the game well but looked uncomfortable on the court as the game progressed. He turned the ball over a game-high six times and finished with just 10 points in the blowout loss.
NBA fans on Reddit reacted to another disappointing performance from the three-time All-Star, with many blaming a chronic back issue for this decline.
"His back is completely done and, as someone with chronic back pain, I can tell you that will do a number on your mental health as well," said a fan.
"Yeah that back injury destroyed him. People can laugh and all that but the difference just before and after is insane (and depressing)," said on fan.
"His back is cooked. Haters will just say he doesn't try hard though," commented another fan.
"I know people love to clown him but back injuries are no joke," said one fan.
"He’s had back surgery twice and several pinched nerves in the past 2 ish years. Armchair psychiatrists want to say he’s a mentally fragile quitter but the he’s just not the same physically," said a fan.
"He's also a 3-time all-star. Wtf happened to him?" Said another fan.
Ben Simmons missed his first year in the NBA with a foot injury, but up big number the following season. In the 2017-18 season, he averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game and was named their Rookie of the Year. The following season, his numbers improved to 16.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 7.7 apg and he went on to be named to the All-Star team in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Since 2021, however, Simmons has struggled with a reoccurring back injury that has forced him to miss a significant amount of game time. The versatile guard sat out the entire 2021-22 season due to the injury. Over the next two seasons, he managed just 57 games and started 45.
Nets teammates makes bold statement regarding Ben Simmons' health going into the 2024-25 season
As the 2024-25 season approached, questions remained about Ben Simmons' health. After missing the bulk of the 2023-24 season, the Brooklyn Nets were hoping to have the former All-Star fit and ready to go.
In October, Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith spoke with the New York Post regarding Simmons' condition and made a bold statement regarding his teammate.
"People don’t know how healthy Ben [Simmons] is going to be. But we’ve been seeing him for the last four weeks and he looks great. So, if bro gets back on the court, I feel like it's gonna help our team a lot, and we’re going to shake the NBA," said Finney-Smith.
This season, Simmons has played in 19 of the team's 26 games. He is averaging 5.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 6.5 apg over 23.5 mpg.
The Nets are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference standings and with a 10-16 record.