Source: James Devaney / Getty
Ben Simmons entered the NBA with tons of promise as the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft with many observers taking note of his athleticism, skill, and size. Simmons, now something of a pariah in the league for various documented reasons, suffered the brunt of criticism after the Brooklyn Nets were swept out of the NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics this week.
Simmons hasn’t played since last season when the Philadelphia 76ers went down against the Atlanta Hawks in an Eastern Conference semifinal game. Most remember this particular loss due to Simmons’ decision to pass on slamming the ball into the cup and looking tentative in the glare of the big lights.
After a long, drawn-out split from the 76ers, Simmons finally landed with the Brooklyn Nets in a trade for James Harden and other players, which was assumed to be a necessary boost for both players in desperate need of fresh starts. Simmons remained on the pine throughout the duration of the season and the playoffs even with weighty promises that he would be returning to the court in the last series.
Sports pundits and online critics alike have aimed tons of vitriol in the direction of Simmons, questioning his heart, desire to play, and if he’s actually even nursing a sore back as widely reported. Some have come to the defense of Simmons, such as comedian and actor Jamie Foxx, who slammed ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith for some of his harsh barbs towards the player.
At just 25 years of age, Simmons can easily bounce back from his current public standing. In the meantime, NBA Twitter is getting their jokes off at the expense of Ben Simmons and we’ve got those reactions below.
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Photo: Getty
1.
The Brooklyn bus is off to Cancun
pic.twitter.com/7lz2FNgLrC
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 27, 2022
2.
Ben Simmons in the background, makes this iconic
pic.twitter.com/1cuonim988
— Tommy Hall Pitman (@TommyHallPitman) April 24, 2022
3.
Ben Simmons whenever it's game day: pic.twitter.com/gxxNOyLg4y
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) April 25, 2022
4.
Tiger Woods nearly lost his leg and his life and has had several back surgeries and even he played sooner than Ben Simmons
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) April 25, 2022
5.
how the ben simmons-james harden trade is working out for both teams: pic.twitter.com/nbsjwPIih9
— alex (@steven_lebron) April 26, 2022
6.
Ben Simmons showing up ready to go for Game 5. pic.twitter.com/BTm0v3tuRG
— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) April 26, 2022
7.
I finally figured it out,Ben Simmons is the NBA version of the tinder swindler, convincing teams to pay him money without service. pic.twitter.com/ABfrdPOZJS
— Kenneth Williams (@divinee36) April 27, 2022
8.
Ben Simmons watching his team get swept pic.twitter.com/cn9fnsmbD2
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 26, 2022
9.
Ben Simmons really sat out an entire season because Joel Embiid and Doc Rivers hurt his feelings
— BGN (@BGN_5) April 24, 2022
11.
Man, if you could just combine my mentality with Ben Simmons' natural gifts, you'd have a guy who gave up in high school rather than the pros and we could have avoided all of this.
— ian karmel (@IanKarmel) April 26, 2022
12.
that protester got more floor time than Ben Simmons this season
pic.twitter.com/MsroChdwbA
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 25, 2022
13.
Ben Simmons has officially completed the biggest heist in NBA history. He really sat out an entire season! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 24, 2022
14.
Seth & Drummond fighting for their playoff lives while Ben Simmons dresses up like Willy Wonka pic.twitter.com/bcRDAmpMy3
— dean
(@DeanScorpion_) April 24, 2022
15.
Ben Simmons trying to convince the Nets that he actually is hurt pic.twitter.com/xYzupgGTpS
— Black Moscato
(@Ace_Eca4) April 27, 2022
17.
James Harden played multiple games in the playoffs for the Nets on a grade 2 hamstring strain, while Ben Simmons refuses to play an elimination game with a sore back.
The notion that Harden is a selfish player is mind boggling to me pic.twitter.com/Z8vOagymyT
— HoodieBev (@HoodieBev) April 24, 2022
(@DeanScorpion_)
(@Ace_Eca4)