The Philadelphia 76ers may be out of the postseason, but there remains some narratives in the heated 2025 NBA Playoffs that have them lurking around. So while they may be just in the shadows, praying hard that Lady Luck smiles at them, they cannot really be booted out entirely, especially when it comes to former cagers who were once part of the franchise’s core.
Moving to the timely agendum, the first day of the playoffs was already filled with fireworks. One of the mot highly anticipated matchups in the first-round, the 4-versus-5 tussle between the Nuggets and the Clippers, was arguably the best game in the first hurrah of the playoffs.
Fourth-seeded Denver prevailed in overtime over LA, which actually led for a good chunk of the game before the hosts prevailed. Former 76ers star James Harden led the Clippers in a losing effort, yet it wasn;t enough to weather the storm for his resurgent squad.
However, despite Harden standing out, he is not the only former Sixer who projects to command a lot of attention.
The 76ers know pretty well what the Clippers are experiencing with Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons, who joined the Clippers before the final stretch of the season, saw minutes off the bench for Ty Lue’s squad. However, in 13 minutes of gameplay, he only mustered two points, two rebounds, and a block, failing to get on the score sheet.
With LA shortening its rotation, Simmons will most likely continue to see minutes. After all, he is still a very useful defender and playmaker. However, as the 76ers know pretty well, the former All-Star’s problem is something the Clippers are also seeing vividly.
Simmons is simply afraid of the moment. He has a clear derision with the concept of attempting a shot, which has become pretty apparent at this stage in his career. In reality, his strongest suits have not really faded away, but it is his lack of acuity in scoring that has prevented and will continue to prevent him from reprising his old self. Even Lue has had to remind him that scoring is part of the game.
As long as Simmons refuses to shoot, LA will have a harder time fielding him in, especially if the push comes to shove and the Clippers are forced to thrust him into a bigger role whenever, say, Ivica Zubac faces foul trouble against Nikola Jokic. It is constructive notice at this point that Simmons will do anything but shoot the rock, and Denver will be happy to completely ignore him when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands to create for others.
The Philadelphia 76ers have already moved on from Ben Simmons. Unfortunately, the ghosts of the past are still haunting the former All-Star, as anyone can see from his disposition on the court.