ESSAY: What to think of Ben Simmons? How about just cheering him on?

There are people out there, even skeptics and cynics, who cannot stand optimism about Ben Simmons. He is “done” or “finished” or some other unprintable description of a career gone awry that undoubtedly had its origins in Philadelphia. Who can blame them? It's been a long and bumpy ride, starting with the 2022 trade and the aftermath.

Now, with the opening of training camp, we can once again observe the ritual of late September: video of Simmons taking and hitting jump shots even from beyond the 3-point line; statements from trusted sources about how good he looks and plenty of positive news about his availability.

It started with an episode of our podcast, The Brooklyn, a week ago. We noted that Simmons was actually playing 5-on-5 in Miami, where he was recovering from his second back surgery in March.

We also reported that Brooklyn sent James Moore, their return to performance coordinator, to Miami to monitor his progress and that the relationship between the Nets' front office and his team is very positive, one might even call it excellent.

Then, in less than 24 hours from Tuesday to Wednesday, Chris Brickley, one of the NBA's top personal trainers, posted three messages on social media, each with a more glowing – if not shocking – assessment of Simmons' condition.

It started with a tweet saying Simmons was “ready for a good season…”

Brickley then claimed he was “playing basketball at an All-Star level again…”

Before that, finally: “Better now than in his All-Star seasons,” which justifies a few exclamation marks …

Hype, exaggeration, hope? After all, during those three seasons in Philly – before the missed layup, the break, the back injury, the transfer, the two back surgeries and a lot of hate – Benjamin David Simmons was a three-time All-Star, twice on the All-Defense first team, including second place in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Steals Leader, and once voted All-NBA. Before that time, he was also voted Rookie of the Year. That's a bold comparison!

Simmons has apparently been working out with Brickley at his Summit gym in New York over the past few days. He has been at the HSS Training Center for about 10 days, where he works out on the eighth floor and trains with his teammates, but there have been no leaks about his performance there. In fact, it seems that the Nets and Team Simmons, aware of the previous allegations of hype, are keeping a low profile and waiting. Let others talk about him if they want. We'll hold back for now.

One thing is for sure: Brooklyn's training camp this September will be much different than last year for both the Nets and Simmons. Last year, the Nets hoped Simmons could be a key part of a culture that might not be able to compete, but could definitely keep up. That obviously didn't work. Simmons hoped to return to his old form without getting injured. That obviously didn't work either.

Now the Nets are rebuilding their team and hope to grab as many as six draft picks, perhaps even the No. 1 overall pick, in June. Simmons, on the other hand, is more or less an afterthought, an expensive one to be sure, but at least in the eyes of fans, more valuable for his soon-to-be-vacated salary space than for his upcoming play on the court.

After his much-publicized return a year ago, he never really got going. He averaged six points, six assists and eight rebounds in 24 minutes per game, all well below his career highs. His free throw percentage, always a problem, dropped to 40%, his worst ever. Then the nerve problems returned and he had to undergo surgery for a second time in two years.

So is there a realistic case for Simmons returning to the form Brickley envisions? And let's assume he is at that level? It's difficult to get a positive Brickley-level picture based on the last two years. However, it should be noted that the second surgery represented a new approach that will hopefully reduce the number of recurring back problems. It was also less complicated and the recovery and rehab time was shorter, meaning he had more time to return to 5-on-5 play and prepare for training camp than last season. He is also only 28, which many consider the ideal age of a professional star, when the athlete still has most of his athletic ability and benefits from experience.

And despite what the more cynical fans – and the haters – believe, Ben Simmons loves basketballYes, he does. His excellent record over these three years is proof of that, but Simmons has more than proven that the love of last three years! He has a guaranteed Contract means that after all the pain and worse, the fear, he could have just quit and kept getting paid… and in doing so confirmed all the prejudices against him. He chose not to. Instead, after initially resisting surgery, he went under the knife in May 2022, then months of rehab, played again despite the pain, underwent a second surgery in March 2024 and went through more months of rehab.

What about his “softness” of refusing to make a layup and possibly getting fouled in that Game 7 against the Hawks in the 2021 playoffs? That's an old catchphrase of Philly fans (whose own softness was exposed in the playoff series against the Knicks last season!). You'd think two back surgeries could absolve him of such allegations, but this is about Ben Simmons and the 76ers fan base.

So what could a healthy, resurgent Simmons bring to a rebuilding team? More wins for s.

He could also add more variety to the offense. There have been reports that Jordi Fernandez could use Simmons in the high post, the linchpin of a modified Princeton offense. At the very least, that could make the season interesting.

“Simmons could ruin the tank!”

That's the latest mantra. It may or may not be true. The Nets' prospects are rated so poor – less than 20 wins – that an improved Ben Simmons won't do much for the Nets, and with his contract expiring, there may be fewer ping pong balls in the draft lottery in May, but the Nets will likely have four first-rounders and two second-rounders in June. That should be enough, you'd think. Plus, they're not winning a ring!

So how should one react to GOOD News? Even if you've been there before and been disappointed? It should be pretty simple. Be skeptical, of course, but root for the home team. What will it cost you if Ben Simmons doesn't live up to Brickley's praises… and he almost certainly won't? Not much, unless you're more of a sleazy gamer than a superfan.

There's a reason sports are irrational exuberance. That's what makes it fun. Dream a little.