Ben Simmons is a 3x NBA All-Star and the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year. He was tabbed as a budding superstar, the second coming of Magic Johnson to some.
Those lofty expectations were flawed and unfair and now basketball fans are simply wondering if Simmons will live up to even a portion of the hype he’s received.
But his downfall wasn’t a sudden occurrence. It was simmering for two years.
Simmons has yet to suit up this season, and with the trade deadline approaching, rumors are swirling about his future in Philly.
The Sixers are 26-18, second in the Atlantic Conference, two games behind the Brooklyn Nets, and third in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid is balling at an MVP level, averaging 28 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
This begs the question- does Ben Simmons really matter?
Simmons averages 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, yet he and Embiid never seemed to mesh on the court. That sour relationship extended to the team as a whole.
Before the start of this season, the rift between the Sixers and Simmons grew, creating the chasm that currently separates the two.
In October, Simmons was kicked out of practice, suspended a game and skipped his scheduled media session the day before the team’s first game.
Afterward, Embiid let loose on Simmons.
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