To say Ben Simmons has been a shell of his old self so far this season for the Nets would be an understatement.
Watching the way he plays now, it’s hard to fathom how he ever averaged over 10 points per game in the NBA. Not only will he not shoot the ball at all, but he won’t even look at the rim. Even when it’s right there.
It’s not always the Nets’ biggest problem because he does so many other things well. But when it does become a problem, it’s a major problem. It completely breaks possessions for the Nets.
That happened on Wednesday in Simmons’ return to his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia. Simmons passed up two shots at the rim in a row on the same possession.
There was a defender there, sure. But he’s right there. At least look at the rim. Instead, he passes out of two solid rim looks and jumbles things up.
While calling the game, Doris Burke noticed this. She immediately called it out. It wasn’t an angry call out, though. It sounded more like disappointment with the way Simmons’ game has unraveled on the offensive end.
Take a listen.
Doris Burke goes in on Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/SkC1nhi6a3
— Ted Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) January 26, 2023
“You see the lack of aggression for Ben Simmons and it’s such a striking contrast to watch. There’s times where he’s completely disappeared on the offensive end of the floor. Averaged about 10 drives per game in becoming a 3 time All-Star in Philly…He’s about 3.5 drives per game. And it’s hard to watch. In 2020 he’s a third team All-NBA guy. Three time All-Star at his age. And he’s become a role player. An excellent defensive player, but a role player.”
Doris is absolutely right. For as good as we’ve seen Ben Simmons be before, he’s just not that player anymore. And it’s unclear why he’s not that player anymore or whether he can ever be that player again. But the bottom line is he’s not right now and it’s hurting the rest of his game.
Simmons is a brilliant passer, but both his usage rate (14.7%) and his assist percentage (30.4%) have dipped to career lows. Meanwhile, his turnover percentage is a career-high 26.1%. His Offensive Box Plus-Minus is a career-worst –1.9, per Basketball-Reference’s stats database. That’s dreadful. And it points to Simmons’ lack of aggression as a problem.
Now, it’s not the end of the world. Draymond Green has made a splendid career out of being a similar player. Simmons isn’t Draymond Green, but he’s still plenty good.
He just might never be an All-Star again if he keeps this up. And we’ll all just have to accept that.
