Ben Simmons fouled out once more Monday evening. He’s fouled out of two of his first three video games as a member of the Brooklyn Nets and has almost as many fouls as factors. So far, Simmons has posted 17 factors, 14 fouls, 18 rebounds, and 21 assists in three video games. This is the man who was as soon as touted because the “next” LeBron James — who at one level mentioned Simmons could possibly be higher than him — popping out of LSU. Despite early accolades in his profession Simmons is probably the most overrated No. 1 total draft decide of the previous 20 years, at finest. At least? The most overrated participant ever.
Simmons’ NBA profession began on the unsuitable foot (no pun meant) as he missed his first yr of 2016-17 with a foot harm. He debuted the next season, profitable Rookie of the Year — because it was his official debut — and being named to the All-Rookie Team in ‘18. Ben’s first two lively years had been successful, and it regarded like he was on a trajectory headed for stardom.
The former LSU Tiger — lest we neglect Simmons failed to guide the crew to the NCAA Tournament — peaked as a scorer in his second season, averaging slightly below 17 factors per sport alongside 8.8 rebounds and seven.7 assists. He’s declined little by little in every class since yr two. Simmons sat out final season and was shipped away from Philadelphia to Brooklyn at February’s commerce deadline.
When a participant comes into any league with the type of hype Simmons had, generally they’ll get the advantage of the doubt. The LeBron James comparisons with Simmons got here throughout a time when the NBA had begun to sit up for the long run. In the identical method, they regarded for a brand new face to switch Michael Jordan, the identical factor occurred with James. In a league constructed round star energy, you want an inheritor obvious to the throne.
That torch ought to’ve been handed to Simmons by this level, however there’s no likelihood of it taking place now. Sure, he’s been an All-Star, All-NBA, and All-Defensive participant, which is improbable. But can anybody actually level out a side of Ben’s sport that’s improved considerably since he entered the NBA? You can’t.
James continued to progress every year and added completely different aspects to his sport. The similar goes for Magic Johnson, whom Simmons was additionally in comparison with early on. The former Sixer peaked in his second yr and has solely continued to fall off since then. That’s not simply an opinion, it’s a reality.
He’s a participant with all of the expertise on the earth, however it appears Simmons is happier being a movie star ball participant than truly getting higher on the court docket. Maybe it’s one thing in his head. That I’d purchase, and genuinely perceive if that’s the case. That doesn’t change the truth that in seven years, you may’t title one a part of Simmons’ sport that’s higher now than when he performed his first sport in ‘17.
However, it’s not all Ben’s fault. Much of the blame goes to those that started to throw out comparisons to LeBron and Magic. That might have constructed an unreal degree of expectation that Simmons was by no means going to dwell as much as. Not as a result of he didn’t have the expertise however as a result of it has by no means felt like he cares to be nice. You might see Simmons’ expertise two cities over with out binoculars. That’s how gifted he’s, however at a sure level, one thing inside must take over and push you previous that.
Jordan was insanely proficient popping out of faculty, but nobody projected him to be one of many biggest gamers of all time. By evaluating Simmons to gamers like LeBron and Magic, that’s the pedestal he was positioned upon. In many individuals’s opinions, these are two of the 5 biggest gamers the NBA has ever seen, and Simmons isn’t even prime 15 in his personal period.
This season continues to be younger, and people first three video games could possibly be an instance of knocking off some rust. Simmons hadn’t performed NBA basketball in effectively over a yr, in order that’s to be anticipated. But fouling out in two of these video games isn’t a superb look. The worst half is his complaining about it after the sport.
“It wasn’t a foul. He called it a foul, made a mistake. It is what it is,” Simmons mentioned. “Really frustrating. But all I can do now is support my team from the bench. But fuck yeah, it’s frustrating. It’s not a foul. That was bullshit. It’s frustrating because it’s a late game, it’s the fourth quarter, it’s a physical close game. It’s the NBA. This is not college. It’s not high school. Some people are going to get hit, some people will bleed. It’s basketball.”
Brooklyn’s scenario was already a mess, and it doesn’t appear to be Simmons will make issues any simpler for the Nets if he continues down this path.