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'Won't be fooled': Fans' savage reaction to new Ben Simmons video

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, Ben Simmons prepares to shoot a three in a new workout video.
Ben Simmons' new workout video has not gone down well with basketball fans. Pic: Twitter/Getty

Basketball fans have mercilessly turned on Ben Simmons after the Aussie star posted a new training video as he prepares for the upcoming NBA season.

Simmons copped much of the blame for the 76ers' loss to Atlanta in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

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The Australian's struggles at the free-throw line impacted his confidence to the point where he began passing up wide open shots.

The former No.1 draft pick looks all but certain to be traded, with 76ers coach Doc Rivers admitting after the Game 7 loss to the Hawks that he was not sure if his team could win a championship with Simmons running the team.

Simmons stunned Australian basketball after announcing before the Olympics that he was withdrawing from the Boomers squad that ultimately won a first ever Games medal with bronze in Tokyo.

The guard's decision was centred around working on improving his game - specifically his shooting - and it's something the Aussie appears keen to prove he's done.

The 25-year-old's trainer Chris Johnson posted a new workout video showing Simmons draining three-pointers in an empty gym, with no defence or pressure to contend with.

However, the clip has been mercifully pounced upon by Sixers fans in particular, many of whom have seen the same thing before.

For three years Simmons has vowed to work on his shooting and shown plenty of promise in pre-season and some regular season games.

But as last season's NBA Playoffs brutally exposed, his confidence to shoot when the pressure is at its highest, has been sadly lacking.

It should come as little surprise then that Simmons' latest attempt to show fans that he's turned a corner, haven't exactly gone down well.

Ben Simmons trade talk heating up

The 76ers have been engaged in trade talks for Simmons, with the Portland Trail Blazers currently the favourites to land the Australian star.

The Blazers are said to be top of the queue ahead of the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors, followed by the Miami Heat.

The 76ers have reportedly been seeking an All-Star-calibre player in return and the Blazers prove a good fit in that regard.

Seen here, Ben Simmons calling out a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the NBA Playoffs.
Ben Simmons calls out a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Pic: Getty

Portland have reportedly turned down multiple offers for CJ McCollum that would have netted Portland at least a top-15 pick, but dealing him for Simmons would make for a star-studded backcourt with Damien Lillard.

There has also been speculation a Simmons-for-Lillard deal could be in the cards down the road, should the 76ers not deal Simmons this offseason and the Blazers aren't a bigger threat next season.

While Simmons struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball in the playoffs, he was a finalist for NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Portland were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, and new coach Chauncey Billups and general manager Neil Olshey are trying to keep Lillard from demanding out of town.

with agencies

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