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

There are those out there, the skeptics and cynics too, who can’t abide any optimism about Ben Simmons. He’s “washed” or he’s “done,” or some other, unprintable, description of a career gone wrong ,,, no doubt with its origins in Philadelphia. Who can blame them? It’s been a long and more than bumpy ride starting with the 2022 trade and aftermath.

Now, as training camp opens and we have started to once again see that late September ritual: video of Simmons taking and making jump shots even from beyond the 3-point line; word from trusted sources of how good he looks and a dose of positive news about his availability.

It began with an episode or our podcast, “The Brooklyn” a week ago. We noted…