The career of Ben Simmons has derailed. Once pegged as a generational talent, Simmons has been a shell of himself since he choked up on a wide-open layup during the 2021 playoffs with the Philadelphia 76ers. His fear of shooting free throws was a factor in him passing up the layup.
A change in scenery has not improved his situation. Now with the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons’s resistance to shoot and his struggles with free throws have haunted him no matter what uniform he wears. He’s faced a demotion to the Nets’ bench in favor of younger players.
The Nets reportedly are looking to trade him next offseason. However, there appears to be little to zero interest from other teams. Simmons is shooting 43.9% on free throws this season — he’s a 59.1% free throw shooter for his career.
His deficiencies at the charity stripe have affected his psyche on the court. An anonymous NBA executive revealed to Heavy Sports an intriguing story involving Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal that laminated the start of Simmons’s yips at the free throw.
“The first guy that started the Hack-a-Ben process was [head coach] Scott Brooks with Washington,” the executive told Steve Bulpett. “They’re playing in Philly a few years ago, and Philly’s up by around 20. Brooks starts putting Simmons on the line in the fourth quarter, and the game is getting closer as Ben is stepping to the line and bricking more and more foul shots.”
Ultimately, Beal fouled Simmons, which sparked an exchange between the two players. That exchange led to Simmons losing a $20,000 bet to Beal.
“When that happened, Ben and Beal had this sort of animated conversation. Ben said,’ I’m tired of you [expletive] fouling me on purpose, man. I’m going to step up here and knock these two down. Five thousand dollars says I will.’ To which Beal replied, ‘You wanna make it 20?’ And then he went up ad bricked one. I don’t think he said another word.”
At this point, Simmons’s basketball career is defined by his free throw anxieties. It ruined his relationship with the 76ers. Now his relationship with the Nets is on the brink for the same reason. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving traded, Simmons is the latest Nets problem.
Was Beal’s exchange the start of Simmons’ fragile psyche? If the story is true, one could take an educated guess that a $20,000 bet may have been the beginning of Simmons’ downfall.
