Brooklyn Nets point-forward Ben Simmons was forced off the court during a 101-86 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves towards the end of February.
The injury was the latest in a long line of setbacks for the Australian and have cast further doubt over his ability to fulfil his undoubted potential in the NBA.
Simmons’ journey in the NBA has been one of the most deflating storylines you can imagine. It has been a rollercoaster of glimpses of brilliance and unfulfilled potential.
The Australian playmaker entered the league as one of the most promising talents of his generation but he has become an enigma.
Injuries have blighted a once heralded career, and he has been unable to kick on with the Nets since joining in February 2022. On his day, his importance to the team cannot be overstated. The 27-year-old is still a vital asset for coach Kevin Ollie.
Apart from being able to select some of the most creative passes on the court, he is also a crucial player defensively. His size and wingspan allow him to defend against bigger and taller players.
However, with Simmons constantly on the sidelines watching his teammates carry the Nets, everyone is wondering whether he can fulfil the immense potential he initially showed.
Simmons was selected as the overall first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. There were already whispers of questionable attitude and character in the build-up.
Despite the chatter, Simmons joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2016/17 season on a rookie contract and impressed in the 2016 NBA Summer League.
However, he suffered the first of his many injury setbacks in pre-season as he fractured his fifth metatarsal in a scrimmage. He spent the entire season on the sidelines.
Doubts began to creep back in as pundits spouted extreme opinions on whether he could bounce back from the injury and return to previous levels.
However, silenced the doubters in his first full season. The Melbourne-born star equalled and bettered rookie year records set by basketball greats such as Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson and Oscar Robertson.
When the 76ers competed in the play-offs, Simmons showed no signs of jitters as he took the game to the Miami Heat. They crashed out in the second round against the Boston Celtics, but not without Simmons displaying his prowess.
Simmons recorded 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the Game 5 loss to the Celtics. His impressive showings earned him the prestigious NBA Rookie of the Year award and All-Rookie First Team honours.
He continued his spectacular performances the following season and became the second-fastest player to clinch 2,000 points in the NBA.
Simmons led the league in steals and made it into the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2019/20, but the wheels started to come off the following campaign as his poor free throws cost the 76ers the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Atlanta Hawks.
Simmons sorely lacked confidence and the aggression to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and deliver the goods when it mattered.
He lost the trust of his then-coach Doc Rivers and teammate Joel Embiid, who publicly criticised him. The Aussie star decided to leave with four years left on his contract, delivering a spectacular tirade to force the team to trade him.
After blatantly disrespecting his teammates, his coach, the front office and the entire 76ers organisation, they caved in and allowed him to leave.
Simmons joined the Nets, where injuries have made the once glittering gem a rusty antique piece.
Despite the setbacks and tribulations, Simmons’ potential remains there for all to see and only time will tell what he can make of it. His ability to orchestrate plays and stifle opponents in the few minutes he gets on the court these days is still remarkable.
Those few minutes give an exciting glimpse of what could happen if he can overcome the barriers that have hindered his growth.
The Nets are undoubtedly a better team with him in the line-up. His absence has clearly hurt their chances of making a run to the play-off finals and has had an impact on sports bettors.
Securing an NBA title is never easy, but punters had pinpointed the Nets as potential winners when the ante-post odds were published last year.
They came in for a flurry of support before the season started, particularly in Australia where basketball bettors have been keenly following Simmons’ progress.
Punters on new betting sites in Australia will be desperate to see one of their own fulfil his potential in the NBA. If he does, whichever team harnessed his powers would be a good value bet to win the championship.
Simmons continues to grapple with his demons and is desperate to put these injuries behind him and reclaim his rightful place among basketball’s elite. He is looking for redemption – a chance to break out of this maze of disappointments and deliver the goods consistently.
The Nets and their fans will be waiting for him to rise from the ashes to reclaim his throne as one of the league’s best players.
If the Nets lose patience, another team could benefit if Simmons can finally fulfil the promise he once showed on the hardwood, away from the treatment room.
