Keep in mind when NBA Twitter, now NBA It ended up being Brooklyn, and that ended up being the final time he was related to skilled basketball. The most recent replace is that there isn’t any replace, simply Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, falling on his consumer’s sword.
Since becoming a member of the Nets, the previous All-NBA guard has been hampered by again and psychological well being points. Sadly, the previous restricted him to only 57 performances out of a complete of 128. This season, Simmons is restricted to only 15 video games.
What is the purpose, you ask? I am going to let Lee inform you (through SNY).
“It is a continuation of the identical damage he is been coping with all 12 months. … We’re attempting to get clearer solutions about easy methods to get him out of the reactive cycle he is in.”
“…We proceed to attempt to discover non-surgical choices to permit Ben to progress on a everlasting foundation and that is the place that is my accountability and I am [the] a responsible one.
“Once I began working with Ben, I promised him I’d do the whole lot I may to search out the correct solutions and specialists he may work with [in order] to maneuver ahead with the issues he has. It’s clear that this didn’t occur and that’s my accountability.”
That is, uh, that is one thing. Whereas Bernie’s intentions are good, the reasoning is silly. No matter occurred to Simmons’ again — it is also known as a “nerve impingement” — has persevered, and whereas I am removed from a medical skilled, that is what normally occurs with again issues.
So Lee can reward Simmons for taking “lower than seven days off” all he desires, or put the onus on himself to search out the correct medical care, however he does not must. To be truthful, it is in all probability unattainable for the previous No. 1 total decide to “resume his profession on the degree he reached earlier than he was injured.”
The higher query could be: Does Ben wish to resume his profession on the degree he is reached? It is a official query. From the whole lot I’ve heard, again ache, particularly nerve ache, is the definition of disabling. They’re additionally mysterious as a result of the remedy varies, as do sufferers’ reactions to it.
Different boys had been capable of eradicate comparable illnesses — Paul Pierce and Tyson Chandler did it within the 2012-2013 season with pinched nerves of their necks. The Celtic guard performed 77 video games, with a median of 18, 6 and 4. Chandler logged 66 video games and was a member of the Japanese Convention All-Star staff as a Knick. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Dwight Howard made simply 9 appearances throughout his lone season in Washington as a result of a pinched nerve in his butt.
Of these three notable NBA hoopers, which one do you assume Simmons is most much like from a ardour for the sport standpoint? Now all collectively: “Dwight Howard.” Kobe Bryant famously hated Howard’s strategy to the sport New York Submit talked about Simmons’ well being as the rationale why Kevin Durant bounced out of Brooklyn.
Whereas KD was traded halfway by way of final season, Simmons’ enterprise had been a limbo since coming from Philadelphia, and it was clear Durant wasn’t all for ready for what was improper to be fastened. As he is instructed us by way of his actions, Simmons is greater than content material to relax courtside.
I am not saying Ben Simmons is not damage. That is in all probability as a result of the 2023-2024 Nets are his dream situation: zero accountability, sufficient empty stats to land one other contract and high billing. I am simply saying that if he is given the choice to relaxation and nonetheless get the $38 million he is owed this 12 months, or play at lower than one hundred pc and threat extra public scorn, what do you assume Ben Simmons would select?