Ben Simmons is a 3x NBA All-Star and the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year. He was tabbed as a budding superstar, the second coming of Magic Johnson to some.
Those lofty expectations were flawed and unfair and now basketball fans are simply wondering if Simmons will live up to even a portion of the hype he’s received.
But his downfall wasn’t a sudden occurrence. It was simmering for two years.
Simmons has yet to suit up this season, and with the trade deadline approaching, rumors are swirling about his future in Philly.
The Sixers are 26-18, second in the Atlantic Conference, two games behind the Brooklyn Nets, and third in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid is balling at an MVP level, averaging 28 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
This begs the question- does Ben Simmons really matter?
Simmons averages 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, yet he and Embiid never seemed to mesh on the court. That sour relationship extended to the team as a whole.
Before the start of this season, the rift between the Sixers and Simmons grew, creating the chasm that currently separates the two.
In October, Simmons was kicked out of practice, suspended a game and skipped his scheduled media session the day before the team’s first game.
Afterward, Embiid let loose on Simmons.
“At this point, I don’t care about that man,” said Embiid. “Honestly, he does whatever he wants. That’s not my job, that’s those guys job. I’m only focused on trying to make the team better, win some games, and play hard every night.
“Our chemistry has been excellent despite everything that has been happening the last few months. So yeah, like I said, I don’t really care.”
Embiid’s testimony proved their leader didn’t want or need Simmons. It was his team and he was going to lead them.
And that’s exactly what he’s done.
This season, the Sixers are moving along nicely without him and the only time his name is discussed is in trade rumors.
The latest revolves around a mega-deal with the Sacramento Kings involving De’Aaron Fox and/or Buddy Hield. Another involves a multi-player deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Yet it’s all talk as nothing has come to fruition.
But what’s very telling is the fact that Sixers are winning and only two teams have expressed overt interest in acquiring Simmons before the trade deadline.
That speaks volumes of Simmons.
In the past, we’ve seen All-Stars quickly packaged and shipped off to other teams.
The Clippers shipped Chris Paul to the Rockets for a slew of players
The Pacers traded Paul George to the Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
The Timberwolves traded Jimmy Butler to the Sixers for a few players and a second-round pick.
Yet Simmons sits at home, still a member of the Sixers.
This summer the team acquiesced to Simmons’ trade request but found no suitors willing to accept their asking price. They’re still trying but no one is biting.
In exchange for Simmons, the Sixers want a big name to pair with Joel Embiid. But seeking a Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal for Ben Simmons just isn’t going to happen.
That’s mostly due to Simmons’ performance.
In today’s NBA, shooting range dominates. That talent is alarmingly and conspicuously absent from Ben Simmons’ game.
In his four-year NBA career, Simmons averages .1 three-point attempts per game. That’s not a typo either. His three-point game is abhorrently missing and when coupled with his career .597 free-throw percentage, you have a gaping hole in a resume packed with potential.
Fortunately for him, he’s young and physically gifted. He stands 6-11, plays the guard position and is only 25, so he has time to properly develop his talents.
But while talented he may be, the flaws in his game are glaring to some.
“He hasn’t had very good success in the playoffs, which is problematic when you have one of your players making that much money who can be game-planned for,” said one NBA executive to Heavy.com.
Another issue is his inability to improve.
His free throwing shooting has remained stagnant in the 60% range over the last three seasons and he seems to outright refuse to take three-pointers. In a league where the line for standard good shots continues to move further back, Simmons is embarrassingly behind, especially for a guard.
A change of scenery could help restart his stalled career and trigger progression in his weaker areas.
Until then, he resides in NBA purgatory, stuck between a team that doesn’t want/need him and a league that doesn’t believe in the Sixers’ valuation of his worth.
So does Ben Simmons matter?
At some point, he will. But for now, he’s just a “DNP” on the roster.
