Latest news with #BenSimmons
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Should the Boston Celtics take a chance on former Los Angeles Clippers big man Ben Simmons?
Should the Boston Celtics take a chance on former Los Angeles Clippers big man Ben Simmons? The Celtics have been connected to Simmons by recent reporting from the Stein Line, one of several ball clubs reportedly considering kicking the tires on bringing on the controversial vet forward, to the chagrin of a large chunk of the storied ball club's fan base. The reasoning behind that trepidation -- based in their memories of Simmons travails while he was suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers before that -- is sound, but a case can be made that the Australian swingman has found his professional footing, and could be the sort of high-upside signing Boston needs to improve their roster for the future. The folks behind the "Green with Envy" YouTube channel put together a clip that took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Spotify: iTunes: YouTube:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
10 Most Overrated NBA Players In The Last 10 Years
10 Most Overrated NBA Players In The Last 10 Years originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Ladies and gentlemen, this is an unapologetic exposé on the NBA players of the last ten years who were given far more credit than they actually earned. Specifically, players who strutted as superstars but delivered nothing beyond box-score volume or fanfare. We have cut through the hype, scrutinized impact across playoffs, contracts, and peer perception, and built a ranking that's bold but frankly overdue. Let's unpack who was truly overrated and why their status has unraveled under pressure. 1. Ben Simmons From the moment he was hyped as the next LeBron James, Ben Simmons has lived under a burden of expectation he never came close to shouldering. Sure, he's a defensive disruptor and a pass-first giant, but that's only half the story. He refused to shoot from distance, crumbled under pressure (hello, 2021 playoff Game 7 no-dunk moment), and has turned into the most overrated No. 1 pick in decades. That fear of failure hasn't just cost him buckets, it's cost him credibility. And let's not sugarcoat it: Simmons' inability and apparent unwillingness to build even a basic jump shot have made him a non-factor in today's NBA. Possessing a $40M ceiling over the past few seasons but delivering sub-$10M impact? That's why scouts now whisper he's 'never again All-Star-level', a harsh label, but the truth stings. 2. Zion Williamson Zion Williamson carried monumental hype: Duke phenom, generational talent, yet the reality has been far less swish than the banner headlines. Fans forget he's only played 214 out of a possible 492 games in six years, a shocking figure. When healthy, yes, he had that thunderous low-post game. But the free-throw struggles, pedestrian defensive effort, and uneven lateral quickness expose a player more crispy highlight than a durable foundation. So far, he's felt like an All-Star in theory, not in practice. The Pelicans still hover in mediocrity, and the balloon of expectation deflates fast when the court lights come on and clutch moments arrive. We won't be surprised if the Pelicans pull the plug on a player who was supposed to be the face of the league by now. 3. Rudy Gobert Rudy Gobert's rim protection is elite, but elite only gets you so far. The man is essentially a glorified screen-setter when it comes to offense, limited in pick-and-rolls, and regularly a playoff liability. DPOY hardware (four trophies, in fact) may dazzle, but it hasn't fixed his shortcomings in perimeter defense or half-court rotations. And let's face it: even critics who love his interior presence say he 'can get played off the floor,' pointing to his struggles when opponents attack him outside the paint. If the game keeps shifting to pace-and-space, Gobert feels like a last-gen relic. 4. Paul George Paul George arrived in Philadelphia on the back of an eye-catching resume, nine All-Star nods, four All-Defensive honors, and playoff expectations that bordered on franchise-saver status. Instead? A $212 million contract that has so far felt more like an albatross than an asset. Despite the hype, his production has dipped dramatically: averaging just 16.2 PPG, his shooting and efficiency have cratered to career lows, all while Philly floundered with an uninspiring record and no cohesion around him. But it's more than the stats. George has publicly whined about boredom while playing center in Joel Embiid's stead, signaling a lack of seriousness on the court, something critic Bill Simmons called tone-deaf. Worse, he's now widely regarded as a poor trade asset, an aging star with a shaky availability record who disappoints under pressure. 5. Kyle Kuzma Kyle Kuzma's cameo as a Laker sweetheart feels like forever ago, but the narrative never caught up with reality. Career poor shooting splits and negative Advanced Box Plus/Minus numbers follow him like a bad tweet. When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired him, it was less about proven upside but more about salary-matching and hope, and that tells you everything. His recent playoff flop, zero stats in over 21 minutes, made fans and analysts alike gasp. Kuzma's game might produce flashes of scoring, but those are just that: flashes. He hasn't proven he can consistently lift winning teams, which is why even the tanking Washington Wizards were willing to pull the plug on him. 6. D'Angelo Russell D'Angelo Russell has that silky jumper and court swagger, but his efficiency numbers are troubling. True shooting and eFG% routinely under league average, and his scoring often takes precedence over winning outputs. Showtime? More like showboating. The hype train never stops, but veterans know the deal: take-your-turn scorers don't translate to playoff substance. His meteoric hot stretches don't hide the inconsistency. Yes, he can light it up, but a flash might not illuminate the path to a title. 7. Jordan Poole Jordan Poole's step-back threes are highlight-worthy, but the impact behind the splash is underwhelming. He ranked among the league's most overrated guards in an anonymous player poll, with teammates not fooled by 'Wizards flavor'. And when October games fade into January frost, his cold spells hit hard; ten points, then two, then eight… the rhythm never sticks. One night he's the hero; the next he's the ghost. The Wizards' experiment is less 'Poole Power' and more gamble, and so far, it's underdelivered. Hopefully, Poole can rediscover the form that once made him a key Warriors player with the New Orleans Pelicans. 8. Bradley Beal Bradley Beal's contract read like a max extension over the past few years, but that was a max extension of what he could provide. Phoenix paid for bursts of scoring he's delivered inconsistently, and yet even the front office now labels the move a flop. His numbers dipped into 'shadow of himself' territory, and playoff futility followed. All the buckets in the world don't matter if your contract handcuffs your team and your playoff resume is practically blank. That's the Beal equation: impressive paper stats, negligible team elevation. That is why the Suns bought him out, and the former All-Star hopes to correct the narrative about him with the stacked Los Angeles Clippers. 9. Russell Westbrook There was a time Russell Westbrook was a triple-double machine who could get numbers regardless of how the team performed. Now? He might have proven that he is a prime example of stats padding over substance and has been for years. Inefficient scoring, bloated usage rates, and a locker room reputation that screamed 'disruptive' rather than 'electric'. Even Denver's gamble to plug him in off the bench fell flat, he unsettled the rotation and didn't deliver enough to dull the concerns. The legend's endurance can't mask the awkwardness of an MVP turned awkward narrative footnote. We hope Russ can find a proper ending to his career because we haven't seen many stat-sheet stuffers better than him in NBA history. Is that all he will be remembered for? Most likely. 10. Kristaps Porzingis The Unicorn flashed All-Star potential in Washington and Dallas, but every season since, injuries and mismatches have derailed him. He never evolved into a pillar; just a rollercoaster with broken tracks. When you're one MRI away from disappearing for months, hype dies hard. The Boston Celtics were somehow able to extract whatever they could out of Kristaps Porzingis, enough to win the NBA title in the 2024 season, but he was back to his unhealthy ways last year. Being a missing piece to an NBA title (alongside Jrue Holiday) should wash away overrated concerns, but the big man simply cannot live up to his talents. His inconsistent availability makes him toxic for team-building. Flashy defense and three-point range are beautiful, but fantasy potential doesn't pay coaching story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors rumors: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry floated as potential free agent targets
The post Warriors rumors: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry floated as potential free agent targets appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the NBA free agency period and the offseason long underway, the Golden State Warriors are the one team in the league that has yet to make any roster additions via free agency or trade. The lone move involving the Warriors so far has been Kevon Looney's departure to the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency. But the Warriors have been linked to several free agents in recent days, including Ben Simmons and Seth Curry, as per ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel. While the Warriors have been mentioned as having free agent interest in players such as Gary Payton II, Malcolm Brogdan and Trey Lyles, Siegel notes that the team has shown recent interest in Ben Simmons and Seth Curry during the early days of summer league. The Warriors have several roster spots open, however, it's unlikely they make any moves until the Jonathan Kuminga situation is resolved. Kuminga is a restricted free agent and has drawn interest from other teams via a potential sign-and-trade, but there's no indication that the Warriors are looking to move on from him just yet. But when it comes to potential targets for the Warriors, Simmons and Curry would be pretty decent options for the team. Should the Warriors sign Curry, it would be the first time that he would play alongside his brother Stephen Curry on an NBA roster. Curry is coming off a solid season with the Charlotte Hornets during which he appeared in 68 games, including 14 starts, at a little over 15 minutes per game. He averaged 6.5 points and 1.7 rebounds and shot 45.6 percent from the three-point line at close to three attempts per game. For Simmons, following his buyout from the Brooklyn Nets, he signed with the LA Clippers and was rather solid overall in a reserve role. He's not going to be the No. 1 pick and All-Star he once was, but for a depth piece and rotation player, he can be a good pickup. During the second half of the season, Simmons appeared in 18 games for the Clippers off the bench in a little over 16 minutes per game. He averaged 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists with splits of 43.4 percent shooting from the field and 85.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Related: Warriors rumors: Dubs viewed as likely Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton landing spot Related: 6 Kevin Durant decisions that tarnished his legacy, ranked
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ben Simmons' Decision Is Reportedly Holding Up The Market For Russell Westbrook
Ben Simmons' Decision Is Reportedly Holding Up The Market For Russell Westbrook originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Ben Simmons has gone from being unavailable to play for multiple games to one of the most sought-after point guards in free agency this season. Not saying he's back to an All-Star level, but his upside seems to be the most promising investment for teams among the remaining free agent guards in the market, especially following Marcus Smart's move to the Lakers. According to NBA Insider Jake L. Fischer, who conducted a live stream with Bleacher Report, Russell Westbrook is among several veteran point guards who are seemingly waiting for Ben Simmons to decide on his future. To be clear, the players are not specifically waiting, but the teams are holding up on giving contracts to them because of their interest in Ben Simmons. While answering the public's questions about Russell Westbrook, Fischer had a noteworthy observation. "I think Westbrook is another player who's being held up by Ben Simmons. You know, he's had interest from Sacramento [Kings]. He had interest from New York [Knicks] at one point in time, but I do think that Simmons is younger and theoretically has more upside left on the table. Russ is a big personality. I think he is in the holding pattern just like Malcolm Brogdon behind Ben Simmons here." Nearly a month into free agency, we have only heard rumors about where Ben Simmons could go and teams that are potentially interested in him. But for some reason, Simmons has not yet announced a decision on his future. Where Could Ben Simmons Go? The former All-Star averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game in the short stay he had with the Clippers last season. While his offensive production is nowhere close to being an All-Star caliber player, his passing vision and playmaking IQ are something that teams can still use to their benefit. Diving deep into Ben Simmons' potential landing spots, Fischer also gave a rough idea of the list of teams and players not signing contracts yet due to Ben Simmons. "I think Ben Simmons is now the most consequential free agent on the board. I think he is the player that's holding up guys like Malcolm Brogdon and I mean DeAnthony Melton, we still think is going to Golden State, but he's kind of the premier ball handler, backup guard, swingman type of player that's out there and Sacramento is definitely still a team that Simmons is deciding amongst his options." 'Right now, there's a bit of a Ben Simmons sweepstakes going on at the bottom of the barrel of the NBA free agency open market period. Ben Simmons hasn't been this big of a name since the days of Thad Young in Philadelphia. So, we have kind of a Ben Simmons watch." 'I don't think he's a candidate for the Sixers right now at all,' clarified Fischer as fans flooded his comment section, saying bring him home. 'But I do think that Sacramento is still looking for a veteran guard. New York is still looking for a veteran guard. The Golden State is still looking for a veteran guard. And we've got, you know, the Bucks have made plenty of inroads in that marketplace as well. I mean, they brought in Cole Anthony, so who's to say what type of opportunity is still there for them to play and bring in another ball handler?' 'But I think Ben Simmons is the domino that a lot of agents and teams are waiting on for this next evolution of the offseason market here. Sacramento, New York, Boston, Phoenix. I'm going to take Phoenix out of the equation, though. I think as of now, after the recent development of Jordan Goodwin going to the Suns.' Players like Malcolm Brogdon and Elfrid Payton are among the playmaking point guards who are yet to receive contracts, likely to teams considering Ben Simmons over them. The Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics seem like the potentially favorable landing spots for Ben Simmons. Among the remaining unrestricted free agents in the market, only Westbrook (6.1 assists per game) and Payton (6.9 assists per game) have a better assist average from last season than Ben Simmons. It will be interesting to see where Ben Simmons ends up and how this will impact veteran players like Russell Westbrook and Malcolm story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks Reportedly Out Of Ben Simmons Sweepstakes
Knicks Reportedly Out Of Ben Simmons Sweepstakes originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has been one of the major names mentioned in the free agency market recently. Having garnered attention from several teams, including the New York Knicks, the outlook appears solid for the 30-year-old. But recent reports suggest that, of the teams pursuing him, the Knicks may be at the bottom of Simmons' list of preferences. NBA insider Sean Deveney recently spoke to an anonymous GM on the matter. The GM said: "Of the places he [Simmons] could land, they'd [Knicks] be at the bottom of the list. They're the long shot." "He does not want the scrutiny. And they want to have room to use the whole roster, that's one reason they got rid of (coach Tom Thibodeau). If you're bringing in a veteran who is hurt half the season, it's going to prevent you from seeing what you've got with your young guys." The GM raises some interesting points, highlighting how the situation may not suit Simmons, who has struggled in high-pressure environments, while also pointing out how the Knicks could be negatively impacted by signing him. What the 30-year-old brings to the table cannot be overlooked. His scoring output may be minimal, but his defensive versatility and playmaking make him an elite role player when healthy. Last season, the guard played in 51 games and averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. When considering that he has played in a total of 108 games over the last three seasons, Simmons' unavailability remains his biggest shortcoming. The Knicks are poised to be a contender in the East next season, and with a new head coach in Mike Brown, the team will be under immense pressure to succeed. Considering his experiences in New York, having played for the Brooklyn Nets, the former star is unlikely to show interest in returning to the city. Thus, signing with the Knicks would prove to be counterintuitive. In many ways, signing with the Knicks wouldn't be in Simmons' best interest, nor would it help the Knicks fulfill their goals for the upcoming season. At the current juncture, the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns are still in the race. Recent reports suggest that the guard is expected to decide in the upcoming week. The Celtics have been speculated as the most likely landing spot, given their roster limitations and the possibility of missing the playoffs next season. When considering their need for size and depth off the bench, Boston could be viewed as the most likely landing story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
