The Brooklyn Nets have been under scrutiny over the past five seasons. Ever since the team acquired Ben Simmons in 2022, he has been at the center of criticism. His latest absence from a preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers has fueled displeasure and criticism. Let’s explore Simmons’ recent absence and the criticism attached to it.
Ben Simmons Faces Backlash After Missing Preseason Game
Nets Super Team
In 2019, the Nets decided to bring in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to form a super team with high expectations of becoming championship contenders. The 2019-2020 season was a bridge year as Durant was recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals. However, in the 2020-2021 season, the Nets’ future looked brighter when the team traded for James Harden. Harden was acquired in a four-team deal that included the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. In the trade for Harden, the Nets gave up Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, Caris Levert, and the rights to Aleksandar Vezenkov. Additionally, the Nets and the Cavaliers traded three first-round picks and multiple pick swaps to the Houston Rockets.
Ben Simmons Is Acquired
In the 2021-2022 NBA season, Kyrie Irving missed time due to COVID-19 protocols. During this time, 76ers guard, Ben Simmons requested to leave their organization and refused to play. A decision that cost him millions of dollars for not playing games, or attending team meetings and practices. Nets’ guard Harden who started having issues with the organization that season wanted out, was traded to the 76ers for Simmons.
In a first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Simmons was expected to return but couldn’t due to back soreness. Ultimately the Nets lost the series in four games. Notably, Simmons missed the entire season as a result. The Nets’ dream of being a super team fell apart in the 2022-2023 season. The Nets started a new era after Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. Now the Nets are in a full rebuild which opens up opportunities for Simmons to revive his career.
Fan Backlash
During his time with the Nets, Simmons has only played 57 games while missing 189 over the past three seasons. He recently underwent his second back surgery in three years. During media day for the 2023-2024 season, Simmons told the YES Network that he is fully healthy and ready to prove he can still play the game of basketball. This is an encouraging sign for Simmons and the Nets. However, Simmons missed the team’s recent preseason game against the 76ers “not because he was hurt, but for precautionary reasons” according to Coach Jordi Fernandez.
Many were quick to express their criticism given Simmons’ history of refusing to play. The matchup being against his former team added to the criticism. Early in his career, Simmons was one of the best guards in the Eastern Conference due to his defense and court vision he was considered a future face of the league. His combination of size, playmaking, and defense made Simmons a unique star. Simmons is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive First Team member, and Rookie of the Year. However, before his injuries and refusal to play, Simmons was seen as a potential superstar. Now, he is in the final year of his five-year, $177 million contract, earning $40 million this season. To many, Simmons is playing for a contract this season and trying to show the Nets organization he wants to stay.
Upcoming Season
The rebuilding Nets will likely be one of the league’s worst teams this season. If the Nets have a bad season but Simmons is performing well, his trade value could be significant for teams looking to make a playoff push. For Simmons, if he wants the fans and the Nets to trust him again, he must consistently compete in games and stay healthy. This will be a crucial season for Simmons’ career and future in the league. Simmons’ role and production will be one of the interesting storylines of Brooklyn’s season. The Nets’ season opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
