NBA fans unconvinced by Ben Simmons' trainer claiming he is back to All-Star level: "Same lie, different year"
Ben Simmons' NBA journey has been plagued by numerous career-altering injuries. Over the last several seasons, fans have hoped Simmons would return to his All-Star-caliber level but have been disappointed.
Ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, Simmons' trainer, Chris Brickley, hyped Simmons up following a workout with a bold prediction for the three-time All-Star's upcoming season.
“Ben Simmons is back to playing All-Star talent level basketball. Big season loading.”🔥
In the comments, NBA fans were not buying the Ben Simmons hype from Brickley, calling out his prediction with jokes.
"We've heard this over the last three comments. Right on cue," one fan commented, posting a 'Ben Simmons Cycle' chart detailing the process of the Nets forward garnering offseason hype.
"Every offseason it's a fake bounce back season for Ben Simmons," another fan added.
"Same lie just another year. How is this lazy guy still in the league?" A third fan questioned.
Fans continued to pile on jokes in the comments directed at Ben Simmons.
"Ever since he joined the league we have seen these off-season quotes and he hasn't cashed not one of those checks," a fan commented.
"Ben Simmons can't even shoot the ball effectively," another fan added. "He will be crying over a hangnail before the first few weeks of the season are over."
Ben Simmons will look to prove the skeptics wrong in 2024-25 and show he can return to his All-Star-caliber play this season.
Ben Simmons entering the 2024-25 season healthy
Since sitting out of the 2021-22 season with a back injury, the injury bug has repeatedly bit Ben Simmons over the last two seasons. From 2022-2024, Simmons appeared in just 57 of a possible 164 games, making 45 starts.
Simmons missed time last season dealing with a back and a knee injury, appearing in just 15 games, 12 of which he started. In 24 minutes per game, Simmons averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Simmons has been working throughout the offseason to flip the script on what's been a shaky two-year stretch as he continues to get healthy. In a season where expectations are equally low between Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets, the former All-Star will have a point to prove.