Ben Simmons has had a very tough start to the new season as he has struggled and has got fouled out several times. The Australian point guard has not been the same with his defense this year and many people in the fraternity are calling him the most overrated player
Current New York Knicks analyst and ex player Wally Szczerbiak shared on MSG Today on how Simmons looked very less confident and scared on court. He also questions his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers especially the 2021 playoffs and how he missed the last season playoffs for the Brooklyn Nets.
Szczerbiak highlighted all of these points and also shared how Simmons being a No.1 pick in the draft is scared to get on a basketball court and also has major confidence issues with his shooting from his Philadelphia 76ers days.
“Most overrated player is Ben Simmons,” Szczerbiak said. “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.”
Szczerbiak who has also featured for the Minnesota Timberwolves shared how Ben Simmons is living on reputation. He was once a great defender and that tag has stayed with him even now when he has struggled and the nets have conceded 125 points at an average. Szczerbiak feels Simmons is one of the primary reasons for Steve Nash’s firing.
“He’s supposed to be a good defender,” Szczerbiak said. “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.”
Simmons is averaging 5.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.6 steals this season. The Australian guard who was once an All Star level player needs to work very hard to even get near that level of gameplay. He underwent back surgery during the offseason and has recently suffered from a knee issue. The Nets management are now managing his minutes so that he does not aggravate the injury.
