Ben Simmons was once considered the future face of the NBA a while before he even got drafted. Over the years, many have criticized Simmons for his inability to improve his skills, leading to a growing narrative that he was a bust as a No. 1 pick. Former NBA player Rashad McCants begs to differ.
Rashad McCants Believes Ben Simmons Became Exactly How He Was Meant To Be
In an exclusive interview with PFSN, McCants gave a fresh perspective on Simmons’ NBA legacy. He not only doesn’t subscribe to the notion that he was a disappointment, but also believes Simmons was exactly the player he was supposed to be.
“Ben Simmons turned out exactly the way Ben Simpson was supposed to,” McCants said. He was Rookie of the Year. He was seen as the next LeBron James. What panned out for Ben happened at the tail end, and that was organizational. That wasn’t on Ben.”
Some were concerned about Simmons before the NBA because of what went down during his time at LSU, but McCants believed that what happened there had no effect on his NBA career and that Simmons’ college experience was not too far off from some of the other high lottery picks who came before and after him.
“Ben’s map and pathway to the NBA went exactly as promised: as a prodigy. Someone who knew what his purpose was. It wasn’t being (in) college long. Some guys like that just go through it.
“Kyrie Irving, Michael Porter, Jr, Michael Beasley, Kevin Durant. These are guys that, hey, man, it’s not too much time here that we need to spend, because we’re already ready for the NBA. But there are a lot of guys that are not like Ben Simmons, not like Michael Porter.”
McCants concluded that Simmons did what he was supposed to do, regardless of what anyone expected from him.
“I think people’s expectations get in the way of a guy like Ben Simmons based on how it ended and how he was promoted, and he did exactly what he needed to do. He proved himself. I don’t think that the end was in his vision at all. I don’t think the end was in the vision of the fans at all, either, but he delivered 100%.”
McCants was in the NBA from 2005 to 2010, spending time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks.
After splitting the 2024-25 season with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, Simmons has remained a free agent. In an exclusive interview with The Athletic’s Sam Jane, he did not rule out an NBA return, but made it clear he wanted to wait until he was fully healthy to come back.
Whether he does or doesn’t, Simmons has had a pretty impressive resume in less than a decade in the NBA. Three-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA third team, two-time NBA All-Defense, and Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner to go with his Rookie of the Year award.
The negative narrative around Simmons may have some merit, but McCants is not wrong to believe that he still made his mark on the NBA. Moreso, what happened at the tail end overshadowed how impressive he was. Many hope this isn’t it for Simmons, but if it is, he still was an impressive player overall.
