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.