“You can’t even get him on the basketball floor” Former NBA All-Star slams ‘scared’ Ben Simmons for being league’s most overrated player
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Ben Simmons, Wally Szczerbiak
Ben Simmons‘ 2022–23 campaign has gotten off to a rough start and he has come under criticism from NBA journalists and former players. Wally Szczerbiak, a longtime NBA player and current commentator, recently slandered Simmons and had a lot to say when he was asked who the most overrated player in the game is.
A turbulent 2022 for the Brooklyn Nets included sending James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant’s desire for a move over the offseason, and most recently, the sacking of coach Steve Nash and the suspension of Kyrie Irving. Additionally, Simmons and his difficult start to the season for them is their current issue. Simmons has struggled for the Nets on both offense and defense anytime he is on the court. Former NBA player Wally Szczerbiak recently lambasted Simmons for the way the Nets’ star is performing underwhelmingly for the team.
This week on MSG Network, Szczerbiak, a former player who is now a Knicks analyst, completely condemned Simmons. Szczerbiak was asked who he thought was the most overrated player in the NBA right now, and that’s when it all started. He stated: “Most overrated player is Ben Simmons. It’s not even close. The guy couldn’t even play in the playoffs two years ago. Then he was scared to get on the court all of last year. The guy is scared to shoot. He’s the first pick in the NBA draft, and you can’t even get him on the basketball floor.”
Ben Simmons and his early struggles with the Nets
For Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets, the season has gotten off to a sluggish start. He has participated in six games so far, however he has yet to record a game with more than nine points. The Nets’ record when he isn’t playing is another statistic that is completely against Simmons. This season, the Nets are just 1-6 when he plays for them and they have a 3-1 record in his absence. That’s a poor reflection on Simmons, who is essentially a major factor in the Nets’ losing ways.
With the Nets so far this season, Simmons is averaging 5.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Through the Nets’ first 11 games, Simmons has tried just two shots outside the paint, and he has missed both of them, which reduces the available space on the floor. Simmons has made just five three-pointers in his career, and he rarely takes shots because he is afraid of being fouled. Even if he comes back, the Nets’ elite offense will be slowed down by his elite defense, which would limit their perimeter.
Wally Szczerbiak with more words for Simmons
Later in the broadcast, Szczerbiak reaffirmed his criticism of Simmons and ridiculed his defense, which he feels was a factor in Steve Nash’s departure. He therein stated: “He’s supposed to be a good defender. He was playing for the Brooklyn Nets, and they were giving up 125 points per game, and they got their coach fired because they couldn’t stop anybody. Ben Simmons is so overrated, you can’t even put him in the game anymore. It’s a little bit of a shame.” The former All-Star may have used strong words, but he is not entirely off base.
Ben obviously, has a lot to prove as a challenger and as a player. He endured back surgery in the summer and just missed four games as a result of a bad knee, so he has a lot of work to do to get back to his All-Star shape. Ben Simmons will thus always be a source of displeasure and discontent for Nets fans until he establishes himself as a star again.
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Irvin Philip
(701 Articles Published)