(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The last two years have been difficult for Ben Simmons, even if some of the adversity he has faced has been completely self-imposed.
Following the Philadelphia 76ers‘ loss in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals at home to the underdog Atlanta Hawks, Simmons demanded a trade and cut off almost all communication with the organization.
After being sent to the Brooklyn Nets, he has kept himself out of action due to multiple injuries, and when he did play this past season, his production was significantly lower than it was in the past.
But Simmons seems healthy and motivated for this coming season, and he said in a recent interview with Marc Spears, via NBACentral, that he wants to “dominate” other players.
Ben Simmons says his goal is to ‘dominate’ players next season
“For me to come back and dominate people will be great. I don’t intend to come back the same player I was last [season], because that’s not even close to where I am. I get excited because I’m like, ‘Damn, I would… pic.twitter.com/lII9RVh66k
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 29, 2023
Ever since he was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has been thought to have superstar potential.
At 6-foot-10, he has ample athleticism, good court vision and passing skills, and the ability to be a pest defensively, which earned him comparisons to Magic Johnson and LeBron James early in his career.
But he hasn’t shown any improvement in his skill sets or production, and one has to wonder if his work ethic and desire are up to par.
In Philly, Simmons was on a team that was expected to compete for an NBA championship in a market that is notoriously cruel to teams and players that don’t live up to expectations.
But now, he is playing on a young Nets team that is rebuilding for the future and has no real expectations right now, other than possibly reaching the play-in tournament.
Thus, there is less pressure on Simmons now, and that could be just what he needs to rediscover his love and joy for basketball.
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