Former Sixers star Ben Simmons already facing criticism from Nets teammates
The Philadelphia 76ers finally ended the Ben Simmons saga when they sent the 3-time All-Star to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that brought James Harden to the City of Brotherly Love. Simmons had success on the floor with the Sixers, but things went south quickly after Game 7 with the Atlanta Hawks in 2021.
Simmons did not play for the Nets after the trade in the 2021-22 season due to back injuries, but he has been on the floor to begin this new season and things haven’t gone quite as planned. He is averaging only 5.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while dealing with knee injuries and he is now being brought off the bench by new coach Jacque Vaughn.
Now, Simmons is facing criticisms from his Nets teammates as The Athletic Shams Charania reports:
According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, the frustration surrounding Simmons had been building in recent weeks within the organization. The coaching staff and players have been concerned about his availability and level of play, with some questioning his passion for the game, those sources said. But even when he did play, Simmons’ struggles in his first nine games this season were part of the Nets frustration as well.
Simmons has proven in the past with the Sixers that he can produce on the floor. He has to be able to battle through his current issues and be able to work his way back to being the player he used to be in order to get his career back on track.
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