It’s been a month after he was traded to Brooklyn and perhaps we owe him an apology. There was a widespread perception that Simmons’ unwillingness to play till now was his method of protecting himself from the visceral anger of 76ers followers. On Monday, Steve Nash disclosed the main points of Simmons’ herniated disk, which offered incontrovertible proof Simmons does have a backbone in spite of everything. When requested about the opportunity of surgical procedure, Nash dismissed the opportunity of conversations regarding that possibility, stating, “not by me. I don’t suppose so.” Notably, Nash was simply as assured that James Harden wouldn’t be traded on the deadline.

Initially, Simmons cited emotional points because the supply of his refusal to play for the 76ers. Nonetheless, complaints about his ailing again originated on Oct. 21, when he knowledgeable the group of his again tightness after which left the group facility. Nonetheless, the 76ers cleared him to play, which led many to presume that this was merely his method of maintaining the stress on Philadelphia to commerce him.

Simmons’ again tightness was by no means mentioned once more. Maybe the Nets ought to have been listening. The 76ers had been consultants at troubleshooting Simmons’ ongoing again points. Along with his herniated disk, the previous 76er developed a nerve impingement in his decrease again in February 2020. Simmons is operating out of time to get right into a rhythm along with his new teammates or get again into basketball form with time winding down within the common season.

His damage may have a major domino impact on how the 2022 postseason pans out. Simmons’ versatility, defensive instincts and rebounding are sorely wanted on a Nets group that has relied closely on Durant (and Kyrie on the highway) carrying the Nets in shootouts. Their gelatinous protection is among the causes they’ve been slotted into the play-in sport since February.