The 2023-24 NBA regular season is turning into yet another lost campaign for Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets. Things started so well for him, from a health perspective, as it was the first time in years he wasn’t rehabbing or entering the season hurt.
He played in the first five games of the season with no issues and was doing well. After not knowing what kind of role he would play with the team previously, Simmons was the vocal point of Jacque Vaughn’s offense.
He was the starting point guard, averaging 7.4 points, 10 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 31.6 minutes per game. It was certainly an encouraging start to the season, but things quickly crumbled once again.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Bernie Lee, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Simmons sat for one game before returning to the lineup on November 6th, making it six out of seven games to start the season. But, another lengthy absence was set to begin after that. He wouldn’t see the court again until January 29th, missing 38 consecutive games because of a back injury.
The former No. 1 pick would play in nine out of the next 12 games, sitting out at least one of back-to-back sets. Unfortunately, he is dealing with yet another back issue, which has kept him out of five more games and counting.
At this point, it is hard to pinpoint who or what is to blame for Simmons’ inability to stay on the court. But, his agent, Bernie Lee, is willing to take the onus on his shoulders. Lee, who recently spoke to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, took responsibility for his client not being able to stay on the court.
“We continue to try and find non-surgical options to allow Ben to move forward on a permanent basis and that is where this is my responsibility and I am (the) one to blame,” Lee told Ian Begley of SNY. “When I began working with Ben I made a commitment to him that I would do everything I could to find the right answers and specialists for him to work with (in order) to move forward from the issues he has been having. Clearly it hasn’t happened, and that’s my responsibility.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Bernie Lee, Brooklyn Nets Updates
“In the year I have worked with Ben he has taken less than seven days off. In my almost 20 years doing this (it) isn’t something I’ve seen. So the thought that he is doing everything asked of him but not getting the results is something that in no way shape or form sits right with me, and I am committed to finding him the right people and the right answers and we will.”
The last few seasons have been very difficult for Simmons. He has appeared in only 57 games with the Nets since being acquired during the 2021-22 NBA season.
Absences have piled up in recent seasons, as Simmons has missed double-digit games in five straight seasons, including 40+ in three straight. What was once such a promising NBA career has been derailed by a back ailment no treatment has helped fix.
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