Patrick Beverley isn’t holding back when it comes to Ben Simmons’ downfall. On the latest episode of his podcast, the veteran guard recalled Simmons’ early hype and explained how one moment in particular changed everything.
“When Ben Simmons first came out, it was LeBron James comparisons,” said Beverley. “There was so much hype, and his demeanor was so chill that you respected it more. Then he got hurt, and he didn’t wanna dunk anymore. I remember the play he had against Trae Young where he didn’t go up for the shot but kicked it out.”
After three straight years of All-Star appearances, Simmons experienced a sharp decline due to mental and physical issues that interrupted his development. According to Bev, the added pressure from fans didn't make things any easier.
“Do you blame Philly? That’s the question. If you don’t do what you need to do for Philly, the fans are gonna let you know in a heartbeat. ‘You drink, you’re a bum, get in the house.’ But if he had gone to a team like the Charlotte Hornets to start without the harsh backlash, he probably would have had a three.”
Simmons' biggest flaw has always been perimeter shooting, and his inability to stretch the floor became an increasingly bigger problem as his career advanced. Despite mounting pressure to improve that part of his game, Simmons never developed into a reliable three-point shooter (averaging 0.1 attempts over seven years).
Of course, in the 2021 East Semifinals against the Hawks, Simmons' confidence was shattered, and it ruined his relationship with the 76ers. The play Beverley mentioned happened in Game 7, when Simmons had the ball with an open lane to score. Instead of taking the shot for the easy points, he passed it up at the last minute, seemingly in an attempt to avoid shooting free throws.
Things were never the same for Simmons after that, and his career took a downward spiral as he went from the Nets to the Clippers. One has to wonder how things might have been different had Ben started his career on a team with minimal expectations, where he could play pressure-free, away from the national media spotlight.
Instead, he was forced to begin in Philadelphia, where the fans are as passionate as they come. They expect results every season and aren't afraid to call out the star players when they fail to live up to expectations.
In the case of Simmons, the pressure of living up to the Sixers' standards may be what influenced his decline from the game. Once his confidence broke, everything else unraveled.
Today, the three-time All-Star remains unsigned heading into training camp, and although he's been offered a deal by the Knicks, he may end up retiring altogether. At just 29 years old, it's an unfortunate development for Simmons that may have been influenced by forces outside his control.
Ben Simmons’ journey has become one of the NBA’s biggest cautionary tales. A career that once held limitless promise has been undone by a mix of pressure, confidence issues, and circumstances outside his control. Whether he chooses to take one last shot or walk away for good, Simmons’ story is a reminder that talent alone cannot carry a player to greatness. It also takes the right environment, the mental toughness to withstand outside noise, and the ability to rise above when expectations are at their highest.
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