Believe it or not, Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets hasn’t scored double digits in 2023.
The last time he put up 10 points was back on December 28, 2022, and he has played six games since then.
On Thursday night, Simmons and his Nets took on the Boston Celtics and the rest of his team needed him.
Sadly, Simmons didn’t score a single point during the match.
Although he had 9 rebounds and 13 assists, he had 0 points, a rare and unwelcome accomplishment for an NBA star.
Ben Simmons after going scoreless on just 3 shots in tonight’s loss:
“I think I’m giving the ball up way too many times when I know who I am, I know I need to get to the rim and get buckets.“ pic.twitter.com/OdISzQvpVC
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) January 13, 2023
After the game, Simmons talked about his scoreless night and said he should expect more from himself.
“I think I’m giving the ball up way too many times when I know who I am, I know I need to get to the rim and get buckets,” Simmons said.
He’s saying the right things to make Nets fans hopeful but will he follow through and actually start scoring?
Simmons has been producing far less this season than he has in previous years: he’s putting up an average of 7.5 points a game compared to his 14.3 from his last full season in 2020-21.
To be fair, Simmons wasn’t expected to be the top scorer on his team and the Nets wanted him to be more of a facilitator and ball handler.
But he is creating the fewest amount of assists for his career.
In other words, his output across the board is down and he has repeatedly said that he’s going to change that.
Many analysts have called out Simmons for a lack of confidence in his game and an inability to push himself.
It’s time for Simmons to prove them wrong.
NEXT: The Nets Are Making History With Their Offensive Skill