Former All-Star Szczerbiak roasts 'overrated' Simmons

Former Minnesota Timberwolves player Wally Szczerbiak. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Former All-Star Wally Szczerbiak roasts 'overrated' Nets PG Ben Simmons

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/10/22

Former All-Star and current New York Knicks' television analyst Wally Szczerbiak doesn't think too highly of much-maligned Brooklyn Nets' point guard Ben Simmons.

While Simmons has found himself in the crosshairs of many since returning to the court after missing the entire 2021-22 season, Szcerzbiak didn't hold his venom back for the former No. 1 overall pick.

He eviscerated Simmons while speaking with Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (h/t James Foglio of Basketball Insiders), calling him the "most overrated" player in the league.

Wally Szczerbiak unloads on Ben Simmons on Knicks network:

"He was scared to get on the court all of last year. The guy is scared to shoot. He's the first pick in the NBA draft and you can't even get him on the basketball floor." https://t.co/JuHi9wQ1vr
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) November 10, 2022

Szczerbiak said Simmons was "scared" to play, adding that he was so bad the Nets couldn't risk using him for meaningful minutes.

Named to the NBA All-Defensive team twice, Simmons has always been considered a great defender. But Szczerbiak mocked this notion, citing the Nets' poor team defense as evidence.

While Szczerbiak's criticisms of Simmons may be harsh, they're not without merit. Like most of the Nets, Simmons has struggled to find his game, posting numbers well below his career averages.

Simmons is averaging 5.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.1 steals through seven games.

A lack of consistency followed Simmons during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, and now Nets' fans seem to be going through the same process.

However, a three-time All-Star, Simmons has proven he can play at a high level before, leaving the Nets with a glimmer of hope that he can quickly find his old form.

Though, if Simmons' game doesn't come around, the Nets are reportedly investigating contingency plans. Last week, SNY's Ian Begley reported that Simmons' name had come up in "cursory stage" trade talks.

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