Ben Simmons has declared he’s a better player than before breaking his foot and is ready for the upcoming NBA season.
The Australian 2016 No.1 draft pick of Philadelphia is coming to the end of a near year-long rehabilitation after getting injured weeks out from the 2016-17 season.
While being among the favourites to win the NBA’s rookie of the year, question marks remain over his strength, fitness and scoring prowess after a full season on the sidelines.
But the 21-year-old insists he’s the man to lift the 76ers out of the playoffs wilderness.
“Roughly a year since I arrived in Philly and some think I’ve stayed the same,” Simmons said on Instagram.
“I’ve had a year to learn, (gain) experience and develop my game to the point where I’m ready to grab this up coming season by the throat.
“Looking back now I would have killed the old me on the court.
“Philly, it’s going to be a scary sight. Let’s go!”
The 213cm-Simmons expects to play 76ers point guard ahead of this year’s No.1 pick Markelle Fultz.
Meanwhile, Australian Utah star Joe Ingles has urged fans to temper their expectations of Simmons.
“It’ll take time for him to adjust. He obviously went from playing college then having a year out,” Ingles told AAP.
“But he’s got all the talent in the world.
“Once he puts it out there in court with his teammates, he’ll be just fine.”
mushi
Guest
Yep I drafted Tyrus Thomas too many times in fantasy because I read articles like this
astro
Guest
One other thing mushi, did you hear he's 'still growing'? Simmons will be 7-3 by the time his body stops developing. I'm sure we'll also hear how he's also spent the off-season making 'adjustments to his game'...something no other NBA player has apparently done.
mushi
Guest
Yep well aware of the listing versus reality thing. I was more poking fun at another common platitude which is the "he's added 10 pounds of muscle" line, which would have some guys sdwarfing the hulk by the end of their career (and not in a Shawn Kemp / Vin Baker way)
steve
Guest
I very much expect that he will be playing the LeBron James point forward role rather than a straight up PG. He and Markelle Fultz will spend lots of time on the court together.
steve
Guest
I wouldn't worry about between the ears. The kid has been spending a lot of time being mentored and training with LeBron James. The kid will be just fine.
Swampy
Guest
Agreed however with regards to weight in the nba they rarely change anyone's numbers from the very first listing as a rookie - from recent images you can clearly see he is bigger than at LSU. Vincent Baker was listed at 240 even when he was a bloated overweight alcoholic (& looked about 400 pounds).
mushi
Guest
I’m not saying he’s Oden (hence the “even”) I’m saying that do we really need a whole story centred on a positive quote from a young athlete retuning from injury when even a guy with depression always said “It’s all sweet here”. I must admit that I’m disappointed he didn’t put on the obligatory “10 pounds of muscle” that NBA players seem to adds over the offseason (Guy’s like Shaun Livingston should be sumo wrestlers by now) As epr your last paragraph the only hope for this article delivering anything was I thought we’d at least get a more specific cliché. Why is he going to kill the old Ben? Did he work on dribble penetration? Catch and shoot threes? Running the pick and Roll? Mid range off pin downs? PAssing form the high post? Timing his cuts to the rim? Triple threat moves vs bigs? Post ups vs small guys that will swipe?
Swampy
Guest
In this day and age I doubt they are ever likely too either. However, Simmons has been right for quite some time - pretty sure he could have played late last season. Pretty sure embiid could also have come back last season but what did Philly have to gain that? One thing for sure is Simmons will be significantly stronger than as a rookie (& seasoned pros have already noted just how strong he was already for a young fella). The Oden comparison is probably a little unfair when you read all the background to Oden's story. His knee issues were terribly mis-managed by the blazers and oden never moved like the natural athlete Simmons is. The Blazers have an awful history with managing injuries into early retirement sadly. My only concern with Simmons stems from between the ears as you alluded. So many red flags from his choice of college, his attitude to school, his friendship with D'Angelo Russell and his general ego about his own status. I hope that he hasn't spent the last year working on dunks and no look passes - rather he shot 1000 jump shots a day with a shooting coach to fix that critical part of his game.
mushi
Guest
Not meaning to rain on the parade but has any young athelte ever said - man I'm a year behind in development and lsot a bit of explosiveness. Even Greg Oden said the same things and it turned out he'd devleoped a drinking problem as he dealt with the depression stemming from unmet expectations