Critics who referred to as Ben Simmons “pathetic” for failing to look in Brooklyn’s NBA Playoffs collection loss to the Boston Celtics have been left with egg on their faces after the Aussie star was despatched for surgical procedure on his injured again.
The No.1 NBA draft choose of 2016 was informed he had “completed the biggest heist in NBA history” by former participant Kendrick Perkins after he pulled out of the Nets’ Recreation 4 loss to Boston final month, with many specialists suggesting he was both faking the injury or not robust sufficient to push by way of the ache barrier.
The Nets have now introduced the 25-year-old level guard will endure surgical procedure to alleviate ache in his again brought on by a herniated disk.
Watch the newest sport on Channel 7 or stream free of charge on 7plus >>
“After consultation with multiple back specialists, it has been determined that the best course of action for Ben’s long-term health is for him to undergo surgery,” the Nets mentioned.
“The microdisectomy procedure, scheduled for Thursday, is designed to alleviate pain caused by the herniated disc in Ben’s back. Further updates will be provided following the procedure.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting Simmons will want three to 4 months to totally get well from the surgical procedure.
Simmons was traded to Brooklyn in February in a deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia after he requested a trade citing mental health concerns.
His inability to suit up for the remainder of Brooklyn’s sub-par season left many followers and sections of the media livid, notably after he was cleared to renew contact by Nets medical workers.
The Melbourne-born star’s final sport was June 20, 2021, additionally his last sport in a 76ers uniform, throughout a post-season series-ending loss to the Atlanta Hawks that uncovered his taking pictures woes.
Simmons is a three-time All-Star over his 4 NBA seasons, scoring 15.9 factors with 8.1 rebounds and seven.7 assists in 275 profession video games, all for Philadelphia.
Simmons roasted after playoffs pain
Ex-NBA players lined up to criticise Simmons after his failure to contribute to Brooklyn’s season.
All-time nice Reggie Miller went for the jugular and informed Simmons to “man up”.
“C’mon MAN!!! Out for Game 4 when it was rumoured you were going to make your debut. This dude has ZERO competitive fire,” he wrote.
“As small a chance as the Nets have to come back in this series, you still have KD and Kyrie, all you need is to win ONE game and take it from there.”
The notoriously boisterous ESPN persona Stephen A. Smith additionally teed off on the “pathetic” scenario, calling for a “Ben Simmons rule” to be launched.
“I feel bad for anybody who was his teammate,” Smith mentioned – as you may watch in the video on the prime of the web page.
“He quit on LSU. He quit on the Philadelphia 76ers and now he ain’t showing up for the Brooklyn Nets.
“We can point to all the excuses, all the rationale behind it that we want to.
“I do recall that, despite him not playing, he still filed the grievance to collect $20 million that he has not earned.
“This is one of the most pathetic situations that I have ever seen in my life.
“He ain’t going to war, he ain’t going in the (UFC) Octagon, he’s not going in a boxing ring. It’s pulling teeth to get this man to play basketball.”
“It’s pathetic. It’s sad and at the end of the day when the NBA gets to the collective bargaining table and they go after the players in terms of a ‘pay for play’ stipulation in the collective bargaining agreement, it’s going to be called the Ben Simmons rule.”
– With AP
