Fame and fortune can be the root of all evil -- too much, too soon, can swiftly alter a young player's mindset as they quickly forget the hard work that propelled them into the spotlight. Case in point: Ben Simmons. A rookie superstar whose career has been decimated because he believed his own hype and stopped pushing. The Philadelphia 76ers must ensure VJ Edgecombe doesn't follow the same treacherous path.
Ben Simmons is a sad reality of early stardom
While injuries have hardly helped Simmons throughout his career, it was clear that as his time in Philadelphia came to an end, he lacked the elite mentality to maintain superstar status.
After being selected first overall during the 2016 NBA draft, Simmons burst onto the professional scene with attitude, talent, and a drive to be the greatest player of his generation. On his way to the Rookie of the Year award, Simmons averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, while shooting a sensational 54.5% from the floor.
Everything the LSU alum touched turned to gold, and he quickly earned the reputation as one of the most exciting talents in the entire league. However, three All-Star selections later, something evidently changed within Ben Simmons. The fearless attitude that led to high admiration amongst his peers quickly nosedived.
One decision changed the entire trajectory of Ben Simmons' career. Sixers fans, I suggest you look away now. We all remember the moment when the former fan favorite passed up a wide-open layup during the 2021 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, and, as they say, the rest is history.
After a year-long hiatus to pursue his fishing career, Simmons is yet to find a new franchise to call home. Even though there are many calls for him to return to Philadelphia, it's hard to imagine that fans have forgiven him for his postseason blunder. Yet, his career should serve as a timely reminder to VJ Edgecombe that life comes at you fast, and a young player should never believe their own hype too early.
Lessons are there to be learned by Edgecombe
VJ Edgecombe has done little to show he is Ben Simmons 2.0, but who could have envisaged that the 2016 Rookie of the Year would be stuck in free agency purgatory just 10 years later? Edgecombe has all the attributes to lead the NBA and the 76ers into a new era; he can't afford to let that slip away due to arrogance and complacency.
There are similarities between Edgecombe and Simmons: explosive movements, endless confidence, and even the ridiculous highlight reels they both created so early in their careers. Where the players do differ is in Edgecombe's willingness to let fly from deep, while Simmons has a greater eye for playmaking.
Nevertheless, in terms of numbers, Edgecombe wasn't too dissimilar from his predecessor last season. The 21-year-old averaged 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 43.8% from the floor. Statistics should always be the start of the conversation, not the end, as this is where the comparisons should conclude.
Despite being nine years younger than Simmons, Edgecombe has already proved to have a more mature mindset that will allow him to follow in the footsteps of the stars before him. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown will undoubtedly steer the young guard down the correct path, as he continues his NBA journey.
Maybe it's a touch of naivety, or my judgment is correct: VJ Edgecombe is a different animal from Ben Simmons. During Edgecombe's rookie year, he consistently proved that he is capable and willing to accept any role that his teammates require. Of course, it never hurts to remind Edgecombe that players in his position before him have been foolish enough to throw away a bright career.
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