According to Brooklyn Nets fans, Ben Simmons is more ‘advanced’ heading into this season and has playing 5-on-5 for WEEKS

Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets are looking to make some noise this season. Yes, that was hard to write without displaying a massive smirk on my face, but it’s the NBA offseason and if you’re a hoop fan, you know those types of statements typically happen right around August/September every year.

According to reports, Ben Simmons is more “advanced” now than he was at this time last year and has been playing 5-on-5 for WEEKS. The news has Brooklyn Nets fans excited. Probably.

Ben Simmons More Advanced Than Ever:

Ben Simmons is reportedly more "advanced" now than he was at this time last year and has been playing 5-on-5 for weeks, per @NetsDaily

(Via @thebrooklynpod ) pic.twitter.com/4RyNzGfSQ2

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 16, 2024

Listen, I make it very well known that I am a Ben Simmons guy. I always have been and probably always will be. Fine. Whatever. I’m an idiot. Maybe.

The Philadelphia 76ers ideal option at power forward is Ben Simmons on a buyout from the Brooklyn Nets

At the same time, I’m not too much of an idiot to know bullshit when I see it splattered across social media. Ben Simmons is always better than ever at this point in the calendar year.

The NBA season starts, Ben Simmons looks exactly the same. He suffers a random back injury soon after and is ruled out for the season before appearing over the Summer in elite workout videos that show him in incredible shape, knocking down jumpers, and attacking the rim.

As you might have guessed, we’re in the offseason phase of Ben Simmons:

Eight years ago, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft out of LSU. He took home Rookie Of The Year honors in 2018, made his first All-Star team in 2019, and brought home the All-Defensive First Team & All-NBA honors in 2020.

8 years ago today
The 76ers selected Ben Simmons with the No. 1 pick. He won Rookie Of The Year in 2018, All-Star in 2019, All-Defensive First Team & All-NBA in 2020. pic.twitter.com/05zBXfUG7l

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 23, 2024

Ben Simmons embodied the epitome of a modern basketball player, blending size, speed, skill, and intelligence in a way that seems almost otherworldly – something that the NBA had never seen before on the court.

Until this very day, only Victor Wembanyama has managed to mesmerize basketball fans to a level that exceeded the allure of Ben Simmons.

His unique ability to explode towards the rim with the power and grace of an Australian Kangaroo while finishing at the rim with thunderous dunks that would electrify the crowd was simply unmatched.

His speed and agility enabled him to guard multiple positions effectively, disrupting opponents’ offensive schemes with his quick hands and defensive prowess.

Despite his size, Simmons handles the ball with exceptional finesse, driving past defenders with ease and executing crossover dribbles that leave them grasping at air. His extraordinary court vision allows him to see plays develop before they happen, making precision passes that thread through the tightest of defenses.

“The Fresh Prince” of basketball, holds a rare combination of natural, God-given abilities that set him apart on the court. Standing at 6’10” with a wingspan that stretches over seven feet.

Simmons, now 28 years old, has only played 57 games over the past three seasons and because of that, his contract and overall trade value is basically next-to-nothing.

Simmons played in just 42 games in 2022-23 before he was shut down in March because of a nerve impingement in his lower back. That injury returned just six games into this season and limited Simmons to only 15 games, including a stretch of 38 consecutive missed games.

Still, the potential of Ben Simmons paired with his numbers as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers leave the sick-minded NBA fans believing that there’s a chance he can return to form.

With the 76ers, Ben Simmons averaged 16/8/7 over 275 games.

2017-18: 33.7 MPG | 15.8 PPG | 8.1 RPG | 8.2 APG | 1.7 SPG | 6.7 FGM | 12.3 FGA | 54.5 FG%

2018-19: 34.2 MPG | 16.9 PPG | 8.8 RPH | 7.7 APG | 1.4 SPG | 6.8 FGM | 12.2 FGA | 56.3 FG%

2019-20: 35.4 MPG | 16.4 PPG | 7.8 RPG | 8.0 APG | 2.1 SPG | 6.6 FGM | 11.4 FGA | 58 FG%

2020-21: 32.4 MPG | 14.3 | 7.2 RPG | 6.9 APG | 1.6 SPG | 5.6 FGM | 10.1 FGA | 55.7 FG%

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft is yet again expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp next season. I totally understand the mindset when stating that Ben Simmons, when healthy, he has a proven track record of competing at an All-Star and First Team All-Defense level.

That’s fine. However he’s lost the benefit of the doubt in actually doing that.

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