I still remember the first time I watched Ben Simmons play during his LSU days. There was this particular game where he seemed to glide across the court, making passes that defied physics and finishing with such effortless grace that I turned to my friend and said, "This kid is going to change the game." Fast forward to today, and I find myself wondering what happened to that promise. As we approach another NBA season, the question hanging over Simmons feels heavier than ever: will this finally be the year he puts it all together?

Looking back at his journey reminds me of that Shakey's Super League photo that went viral recently - the one showing young athletes at the peak of their potential, all raw talent and boundless energy. Simmons entered the league with similar buzz, winning Rookie of the Year after sitting out his first season due to injury. His debut campaign with the 76ers was spectacular - 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 54% from the field. Those numbers put him in elite company, making him only the third rookie in NBA history to lead his team in all three major statistical categories. I remember thinking we were witnessing the birth of the next Magic Johnson.

But then came the playoff struggles, and that's where the narrative started to shift. The most glaring weakness in his game became impossible to ignore - his reluctance to shoot from outside. I've lost count of how many times I've watched defenses sag off him, practically begging him to take open jumpers while he instead passes up good looks. The 2021 playoffs against Atlanta were particularly painful to watch. In that critical Game 7, with the season on the line, he passed up a wide-open dunk that still haunts 76ers fans. His free throw shooting dipped to an abysmal 34% during those playoffs, and you could see the confidence draining from him with each missed attempt.

What fascinates me about Simmons is how his strengths remain so extraordinary even as his weaknesses seem so fundamental. At 6'10" with point guard skills, he's a defensive nightmare who can guard all five positions. Last season with Brooklyn, despite playing only 42 games due to various issues, he still managed to average 6.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists while playing elite defense. When he's engaged, there are few players more fun to watch in transition. I've seen him grab defensive rebounds and push the ball upcourt with the speed of a guard, making pinpoint passes that leave defenders grasping at air.

The Brooklyn chapter of his career has been particularly interesting to follow. After the messy divorce from Philadelphia and sitting out the entire 2021-22 season, many wondered if he'd ever regain his All-Star form. Last season was essentially a rehabilitation year - both physically and mentally. His scoring dropped to a career-low 6.9 points per game, but I noticed glimpses of the old Simmons, especially in his playmaking and defensive intensity. There was this one game against Memphis where he recorded 13 assists and looked like the floor general we remember from his Philly days.

This brings us to the crucial question: what will it take for Simmons to finally break through? From my perspective watching his career unfold, it's less about physical tools and more about mental fortitude. We're talking about a three-time All-Star who made an All-NBA Team and two All-Defensive Teams before his 25th birthday. The talent is undeniable. What needs to change is his approach to the mental side of the game. I've spoken with former coaches who describe him as one of the most gifted players they've ever worked with, but they all mention the same thing - he needs to develop that killer instinct, that willingness to take over games when it matters most.

The comparison to other players from his draft class adds another layer to this story. While Simmons was sitting out games, players like Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell were developing into franchise cornerstones. Meanwhile, Simmons' career has been defined by what-ifs and missed opportunities. Yet, at just 27 years old, he's younger than many people realize, and there's still time for him to rewrite his narrative.

As we look ahead to the upcoming season, I'm cautiously optimistic about Simmons' chances of redemption. The Nets have rebuilt their roster with younger, more athletic players who should complement his skillset perfectly. More importantly, this appears to be the healthiest he's been both physically and mentally in years. Recent training camp reports suggest he's moving well and showing more confidence in his shooting during practices. Will he suddenly become a 40% three-point shooter? Probably not. But if he can regain his aggression attacking the basket and improve his free throw shooting to even 65-70%, that would dramatically change how defenses have to play him.

What I find most compelling about Simmons' situation is that we've seen players reinvent themselves before. Sometimes it takes the right environment, the right coaching staff, or simply hitting rock bottom to spark that transformation. For Simmons, it might be all three. The pressure to live up to his massive contract and early hype has been immense, but perhaps with some of that weight lifted, we'll see the player we all expected him to become. I'm rooting for him, not just because I want to see great basketball, but because there's something compelling about watching someone overcome their demons and silence their critics. The tools are all there - the size, the vision, the athleticism. Now we wait to see if the mindset has finally caught up.