“Ooh!, he’s about to turn this thing around” - Shannon Sharpe is not impressed with Ben Simmons’ ‘whooping’ double-double performance
Since debuting for the Brooklyn Nets this season, Ben Simmons's performances have been underwhelming, to say the least. After sitting out all of last year, he has looked far from his All-Star self.
Through 11 games, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft is averaging 6.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. All of these numbers are the lowest of his young career. Given that the Brooklyn Nets parted ways with James Harden in a deal for him, it's fair to say they expect more.
Despite his early struggles, it appears Simmons might be starting to turn the corner. In the Nets' 109-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, he managed 15 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Simmons also shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.
On FS1's "Undisputed," 2hen asked if his strong showing is a sign that the All-Star guard/forward is back, Shannon Sharpe pumped the breaks.
"I'm not about to sit here and say ooh he's about to turn things around."
"Wow, no, I'm not about to overreact to Ben Simmons scoring 15 whopping points. Let that sink in, Sharpe said. "I'm not willing to go there. What else did he do? Fouled out. ... He's not back, and you know he's not back."
.@ShannonSharpe on whether Ben Simmons has turned the corner:
"Wow, umm no. I'm not going to overreact to him scoring 15 whopping points." https://t.co/KxhUoB0ehI
Is Shannon Sharpe right about Ben Simmons not being fully back yet?
While Ben Simmons might have scored in double digits in his past two games, Shannon Sharpe might be right to pump the breaks on the Simmons talk. Looking at the entire sample size, it's clear he still has a long way to go to play like his old self.
For starters, Simmons' play has been so poor that the Brooklyn Nets have been forced to take him off the bench for five games. He was also injured in five of the last 10 games. That is not the right trajectory to follow for a former top pick who is getting ready to enter his prime. Simmons should be helping lead the charge with Kevin Durant, but can't seem to do so.
Another glaring issue is his constant foul trouble. While with the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons was a perennial candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Thursday's matchup against the Trail Blazers was the eighth time he has committed at least four fouls.
When the Nets got Simmons in the lineup, they expected him to run the offense and be a lock-down defender on a nightly basis. While he's stringing together solid performances, it's a little too soon to say he is back to his normal self.