When Ben Simmons was selected as the Philadelphia 76ers’ first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, excitement surged throughout the City of Brotherly Love. Standing 6’10” with a combination of height, charm, and a unique skill set, Simmons was heralded as a triple-double threat. His passing ability echoed that of Magic Johnson, and his ability to drive to the basket and draw double teams mirrored LeBron James. Within the confines of the Wells Fargo Center, both the fanbase and front office believed that the Australian “Swiss Army Knife” from LSU could help bring an NBA Championship to Philadelphia for the first time since 1983.
But that championship never came.
Instead, Simmons’ story in Philadelphia became marred by coaching issues, teammate controversies, and the infamous moment during the 2021 NBA Playoffs when he passed up an open shot in a critical game against the Atlanta Hawks—events that ultimately led to a bitter separation between him and the team.
From Philly To Brooklyn: Ben Simmons Has Seen High Moments On The Court, Endured Career Threatening Injuries
Three years ago, Simmons was traded from the 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden. Since then, Harden demanded a trade and was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers. At 28, Simmons now finds himself a veteran on a young Nets team that will likely select a high lottery pick in the upcoming June draft, all while also seeking to attract a top free agent this offseason.
Despite his potential, Simmons’ career has been severely impacted by injuries. After being traded to Brooklyn in 2022, knee soreness and back issues kept him off the court for extended stretches. Last season, Simmons played only 15 games before undergoing his second back surgery in three years. For someone still under 30, it’s been a turbulent journey.
Prior to his time with the Nets, Simmons was a young and healthy phenom. However, his career hit an early bump when he fractured his right foot in 2016, requiring surgery. He missed the remainder of his rookie season but returned the next year with a vengeance. In his fourth pro game, he recorded the first of his many triple-doubles—21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists—while shooting an impressive 72.7% from the field in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
He had recovered well from his foot injury, but back issues are a different beast.
Simmons has shared his perspective on the difference. “I mean, I’ve had a broken foot and I’ve never thought about it again,” he told ScoopB.com in an exclusive interview. “But with the back, you use it every day. Everything is connected, so your back ties into your hips, legs and upper body. So, for me, it’s been a more difficult challenge, but I’m dealing with it.”
Climbing Back Up The Mountain
With career averages of 13.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists across 364 regular-season games, Simmons is in the final year of his contract. Many experts predict he might seek a buyout, but Simmons has emphasized that his primary focus is on getting healthy. He’s starting to regain some of the sensations on the court but insists that patience is crucial in his recovery.
The glimpses of his former brilliance were evident last Wednesday night in a game against the Charlotte Hornets. In just 23 minutes of play, Simmons scored 10 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists while shooting 4-for-6 from the field, contributing to Brooklyn’s 104-83 win. However, Simmons admits that his mental game is still catching up to his physical abilities. “There are still moments when I do something for the first time and think, ‘Okay, I can do that.’ It’s about building confidence and getting back to a place where I can trust my body fully.”
Through The Wire
When Simmons first arrived in Philadelphia, the city embraced him. He enjoyed the nightlife and cheesesteaks from Delasandro’s quickly became one of his favorites.
“Cheesesteaks, I’m going to find a lot of them,” Simmons told me after the 76ers selected him No. 1 on June 23, 2016.
But it was Simmons’ admiration for Philadelphia’s past that truly impressed the city. He revealed that he had a poster of Allen Iverson in his room growing up. “A lot of people don’t know that I actually had a poster of A.I. in my room when I was young,” he shared. “I just remember him being one of those small guys, the point guard with braids, cornrows, and the headband. He was a fighter every day.”
One of Simmons’ standout performances came on April 6, 2018, when he led the 76ers to a 132-130 victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Joel Embiid sidelined by injury, Simmons put up an incredible stat line: 27 points, 15 rebounds, 13 assists, four steals, and one block.
Injuries have hindered Simmons’ career, but as he continues to recover, it’s possible he’ll return to the level of play that once made him one of the league’s most promising young stars. “I see the game differently now,” Simmons said. “I’m still adjusting to my game and learning how to get reps under my feet. Being on a team in rebuilding mode is a different experience, but I’m a competitor.”
Ben Simmons: The Basketball Academic
Simmons’ basketball IQ and hunger for the game have always been evident. He cites LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Dwyane Wade as his three primary influences growing up. “Those were the three people that I watched the most in terms of film and their games,” he shared.
Simmons even reached out to Magic Johnson in 2019, expressing interest in working out with the Lakers’ president at the time. The NBA investigated whether this contact violated any rules, but ultimately found no issue. Simmons remains captivated by Johnson’s basketball brilliance. “Magic was dominant,” Simmons said. “He was 6’9”, could handle the ball, had great vision, and great feel for the game. People take passing and ball-handling for granted. There are some guys in the league who can’t dribble the ball. We call them ‘tunas.’ But Magic, LeBron, and Wade were the ones I studied the most.”
Dwyane Wade, a three-time NBA champion and one of the best to ever play the game, also left an impact on Simmons. “Wade wasn’t a great outside shooter, but he had a great feel for the game, great footwork, and he impacted the game in so many ways,” Simmons said. “That’s what’s most important—being able to impact the game on both sides of the ball.”
Simmons also notes the differences between James and Johnson, particularly their athleticism. “LeBron has been doing this for so long, and his body has kept up because he takes great care of it,” Simmons explained. “He’s a freak of nature. Size-wise, they’re pretty similar, but LeBron handles it a littler better, shoots the ball a little bit better. I mean, he’s just developed his game over time and just continuously adapts to the game.”
As Simmons continues to recover and regain his confidence, the question remains: Can he return to the form that once had Philly so excited? Time will tell, but one thing is certain—his journey is far from over.
