The Brooklyn Nets are officially shutting down Ben Simmons for the rest of the NBA 2022-23 season. And this didn’t necessarily surprise fans who felt they saw this development coming from a mile away.
Speculations were rife that the Nets would shut down the injured and underfire point guard for the season, especially after news of his nerve impingement in his back was reported.
Per Fox Sports’ Yaron Weitzman: “Jacque Vaughn on Ben Simmons: “Ben will not be joining us the rest of the year. Says team doctors and specialists expect him to make a full recovery.” The news was also confirmed by ESPN.
Jacque Vaughn on Ben Simmons: “Ben will not be joining us the rest of the year.”
Says team doctors and specialists expect him to make a full recovery
— Yaron Weitzman (@YaronWeitzman) March 28, 2023
Soon after news of Simmons’ shutdown broke, social media was filled with responses from fans who shared their two cents on the matter. [Please note that the comments have been edited for clarity]
One of the fans hoped the Nets would release Simmons in the summer.
When the season ends I need to see Ben Simmons has been released https://t.co/rDyH2EeZaP
— sleepy K😴 (@Kingkennedy_32) March 28, 2023
Some felt he needed to explore different leagues as he wouldn’t find any takers in the NBA next season. “Quickest “fall off” in NBA History. Shanghai Sharks need a guard tho” a tweet read.
https://twitter.com/LegacyOfRei/status/1640768008325922819
Some wanted Simmons to return stronger. “I want him to come back as himself next year or walk away from the game. Don’t ruin it for your peers,” a fan commented.
I want him to come back as himself next year or walk away from the game.
Don’t ruin it for your peers https://t.co/cHqDa7Z3Yc
— Himothy Chalamet 👑 (@TheyGotELROY) March 28, 2023
One fan believed this was the end of the road for Simmons.
https://twitter.com/ethanweinst/status/1640767599838461963
However, there was still hope from those who believed in Simmons. “2019 Simmons does not seem like it was four years ago. His fall from grace has been tough to watch. Hate to see it, hope to see a career revival… probably with another team.”
https://twitter.com/braydendcarroll/status/1640766766421868549
Simmons played 42 games for Brooklyn this season and has averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 boards, and 6.1 assists — his career-lowest numbers. He last played on February 15.
Chandler Parsons Believes Ben Simmons Will Likely Be A Minimum Player For The Rest Of His Career
Ben Simmons’ NBA career has seen a sharp decline, and the man once touted as the league’s future has now been in the eye of the storm, prompting Chandler Parsons to make a startling yet hard-to-ignore comment.
“We have to take him for what he is – he’s most likely a minimum player for the rest of his career…” he told FanDuel TV.
“It’s just a strong mental block, in my opinion, where he just can’t overcome it,” Parsons said about Ben Simmons. “And we almost have to stop talking about it. We have to take him for what he is, I think eventually, it’s going to lead to a buyout, and he’s most likely a minimum player for the rest of his career until he magically shows that he can play or produce at a high level again.”
The future looks uncertain for Simmons at the moment. While he is expected to make a full recovery, there’s no telling whether the Nets will need his services. And given his recent rough patch, chances of teams taking him in for a plush contract look bleak as well.
One can only hope that the Simmons of the old will resurface at some point. Time is literally running out for the Aussie at this stage.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
