Pure disgust as ‘biggest fraud ever in the NBA’ Ben Simmons leaves Nets in the lurch

There is officially no sympathy left for Ben Simmons as NBA fans unleashed on the Aussie star after the latest twist in his sorry saga.

Ben Simmons, who has missed the entire 2021-22 NBA season, was listed by the Brooklyn Nets as out for Tuesday’s fourth game of their playoff series against Boston.

The Nets are on the verge of being swept by the Celtics, trailing 3-0 in the best-of-seven first round matchup, but had hoped Simmons might be over the back pain that has sidelined him.

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The three-time All-Star, who hasn’t played since the Nets acquired him from the 76ers in a February trade for James Harden due to a herniated disk in his back, had targeted Game 4 as his NBA comeback after joining his teammates in practice in recent days.

However, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Simmons woke up on Monday with back soreness again.

“The Nets and Ben Simmons expected he would be ready to play on Monday (US time), but after getting on the court yesterday Simmons says he woke with back soreness today,” Wojnarowski tweeted.

“In the end, the team and Simmons agreed he’ll remain out for Game 4.”

World reacts as Simmons saga explodes

Sports Illustrated NBA insider Chris Mannix suggested Simmons’ continued absence won’t be looked upon favourably by his new teammates.

“Kevin Durant is out there playing 46 minutes. Nets have no depth. And Ben Simmons can’t chip in 10-15 minutes to help his team try to stave off elimination? This can’t be going over well in the locker room,” Mannix tweeted.

Former NFL star Damien Woody tweeted: “This Ben Simmons fiasco is crazy. Like bruh … u have all offseason to deal with whatever u got going on.”

US sportscaster Stephen A Smith unloaded on Simmons. “I feel bad for anyone who is his teammate,” Smith told ESPN.

“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 despite him not playing, he still filed a grievance to collect $20 million (from the 76ers) that he has not earned. This is one of the most pathetic situations that I’ve ever seen in my life.

“He ain’t going to war, he ain’t going in the (UFC) Octagon, he’s not going into the boxing ring. It’s pulling teeth to get this man to play basketball.

“It’s pathetic, it’s sad.”

The Nets need to win if they’re any chance of seeing Simmons this season. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Ex-NBA player Darrick Martin was also scathing, writing on social media: “@BenSimmons25 has got to be the biggest fraud ever in the NBA. It’s unfortunate he is a part of the NBA players fraternity. He definitely doesn’t love to Hoop.”

NBA legend turned analyst Kendrick Perkins added: “Ben Simmons has officially completed the biggest heist in NBA history. He really sat out an entire season!”

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic said: “It is hard to overemphasise how disastrously this entire Ben Simmons situation has been handled, from Day One of training camp until the end of this season. Just, the entirety of this is a disaster. From sitting out to losing money to the will-he-won’t-he-play? Just horrid.”

Sports writer Aaron Torres said: “So glad we’re finally at the point where people are starting to call Ben Simmons out for exactly who he is. Dude quit on one team, and can’t be bothered to even attempt to play for another - all while making $33 million in salary. Biggest waste of talent I’ve ever seen.”

Reggie Miller, who played in the NBA for nearly two decades, was another who hit out. “Cmon MAN!!! Out for Game 4 when it was rumoured you were going to make your debut. This dude has ZERO competitive (fire). 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,” he tweeted.

Ben Simmons is one the nose. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Celtics crushing star-studded Nets

Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have sparked Boston to the brink of the second round while the Boston defensive effort has been able to shut down Brooklyn stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at crucial times in the series.

Durant had 16 points and shot the ball just 11 times in Game 3 while Irving also had 16 points. Critically, neither of them were able to get involved in the fourth quarter.

The star-studded Nets that were supposed to be an unstoppable dynasty are now looking at being swept from the play-offs.

When Brooklyn brought Irving, Kevin Durant, Griffin and Harden together it was supposed to be invincible. Even with Harden traded and Simmons joining the team, Brooklyn was expected to be a championship contender.

But their season is on the brink of imploding — and Simmons won’t be on the floor to do anything about it.

With AFP and Peter Botte, New York Post

Originally published as Pure disgust as ‘biggest fraud ever in the NBA’ Ben Simmons leaves Nets in the lurch