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"Who was considered the most promising candidate to succeed LeBron James in the NBA over the past decade? Ben Simmons was undoubtedly a top contender. As the first overall pick in the 2016 draft, Simmons showcased incredible talent when he entered the league, earning praise from many. However, in basketball, talent alone isn't enough. Simmons spent most of his career in stagnation, while the 39-year-old LeBron James continued to average 30+8+7, but the 27-year-old Simmons started to regress, leaving fans disappointed.
As a former first overall pick, Simmons displayed elite physical attributes and athleticism, coupled with impressive basketball IQ. His on-court intelligence was evident from the start. In his second year as a professional, Simmons even ranked in the top ten in both organizing the offense and playing defense. His only drawback at the time was his scoring ability, but given his youth, it was believed that improving his shooting skills would take him to the next level. People had very high expectations of him, thinking that with his potential, once he enhanced his scoring ability, he would be the new 'King.'
However, being a talented star doesn't guarantee that potential will be fulfilled. Everyone, including Simmons himself, knew where he needed improvement, but he seemed unwilling to work on those aspects of his game. Even someone as great as LeBron James constantly adjusted his playing style to adapt to various factors, and that's how he achieved his dominance today. But since the age of 23, Simmons made minimal progress, and he gradually faded away.
Simmons later joined the Brooklyn Nets with a hefty contract of $177 million over five years. However, his performance did not improve; in fact, his scoring average remained abysmal at just 6.7 points per game, and his organizing and defensive abilities declined further. In comparison to the high expectations people had for him, his current position and performance have left the entire league disappointed. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, he was always a strong force on the court, but his reluctance to develop his shooting skills and his attitude of regression have been deeply disappointing to many." |
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