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Ahead of his return from back surgery, Brooklyn Nets guard-forward Ben Simmons recently trained with Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Matisse Thybulle. The former teammates' link-up sparked comical NBA fan reactions regarding the duo's lackluster shooting ability.
Simmons and Thybulle spent three years as teammates on the Philadelphia 76ers from 2019 to 2022. Both defensive-minded players were viewed as key foundational pieces early in their Sixers tenures. However, things didn't pan out for either player, with Simmons getting traded to Brooklyn in 2022 and Thybulle landing in Portland a year later.
This past season, Simmons appeared in only 15 games before undergoing a microscopic partial discectomy in mid-March to alleviate a lower back nerve impingement. The three-time All-Star didn't attempt a single 3-pointer, averaging 6.1 points per game. Thus, he remains a career 13.9% (5-for-36) outside shooter.
Meanwhile, Thybulle also offered limited offensive production, averaging 5.4 ppg, shooting 39.7% and 34.6% from 3 over 65 outings.
So, upon seeing Simmons and Thybulle's latest training session on Monday, NBA fans on X/Twitter had fun at their expense.
Many quipped about the duo's lack of shooting range.
"Gym gonna sound like a warzone," @HeatvsHaters said.
"They're building free housing," @BDR1ZZZYYY said.
"RIP those rims," @AidanLaPorta69 said.
Meanwhile, others remarked about Simmons' long-running habit of thriving in offseason workouts, only to disappoint come the start of each season.
"Ben Simmons is the greatest in-gym player in history," @Landof30 said.
"Simmons is just in the gym for IG photos at this point," @BronGotGame said.
"Ben is posted every offseason with a lot of y’all thinking he’s about to go crazy, and all he ever does is collect checks from the bench,"@Efeso1001 said.
Also Read: "F*** this dude" - Ben Simmons' ex-teammate rips him to shreds for bailing out on 76ers teammates
Ben Simmons on track for training camp return
Fans may remain skeptical about Ben Simmons' chances of returning to being a high-impact NBA player. Nevertheless, the 2020 All-NBA third team selectee is reportedly on track in his recovery from back surgery.
On April 24, Nets general manager Sean Marks said, "All signs point to" Simmons returning by next season's training camp.
Despite his struggles the past few years, Simmons is still owed a team-high $40.3 million next season. However, that marks the final year of the five-year, $177.2 million contract extension he signed with Philadelphia in 2019.
So, Simmons should be extra motivated to prove himself entering a contract year.
