Ben Simmons has quite an unlikely cheerleader in his corner. Of course, the basketball community in itself is awaiting his big return for the 2024-25 season. But there are the usual skeptics, too. Can’t blame them, really, because past instances have shown his off-season hype barely matches his on-court performances. However, this time, his personal trainer stands as a guarantee for his performance. And an ex-Warriors star has also become Ben’s hype man.

We are talking about none other than Gilbert Arenas. Yup! The same man who has been a vocal critic of Simmons’ lack of offensive development, reluctance to shoot the ball, and his mental approach. Then again, Gil and his straightforward, often bordering on controversial takes, is nothing new.

This time, though, he is hoping Ben Simmons will return and take the league by storm. Interestingly, Arenas knows exactly what is going to fuel him to deliver the kind of performance the 6’10 Australian is truly capable of! “When that check clears and say, ‘Philly, give him his money,’ I guarantee you, he goes back to being an All-Star.”

If you remember, the Sixers and Simmons had clashed in the 2021-22 season over a financial dispute. Per Philly, the 3x All-Star violated his contract and the CBA back then by first, not showing up for training camp, and then games. From Ben’s perspective, though, it was a health issue. He cited mental health as the reason for not doing his part.

The 28-year-old’s then-agent, Klutch Sports, had filed a grievance via the players’ union. And per Woj, the two parties reached an agreement to claim a portion of the reportedly $20 million that was withheld from him. Eventually, he was traded to Brooklyn. Although he is still under contract from that five-year $177 million contract with the 76ers, he is in the final year.

And given how he has played in just 57 games combined in the past two years, with a less-than-ideal stat line to go with it, if Simmons has any hope of getting the kind of bag he wants, the ex-LSU product will have to make this a statement season! With that argument in his favor, there’s no doubt that Ben can get lucrative offers.

However, this return wouldn’t just be for the dough, now, would it?

Ben Simmons is coming back with an answer for Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid slight

The then-coach of Philly, Doc, threw the 2016 No. 1 pick under the bus. Embiid was no better, having taken a more subtle approach than his coach. But the bottom line was that Simmons ended up bearing the brunt of the disappointing 2021 Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Atlanta. His notable hesitancy in taking the three-point shots saw the 2x NBA All-Defensive First-Teamer benched during key stretches.

And then, of course, there’s the infamous passing up of a wide-open dunk in Game 7. Following this, when Rivers was asked if he thought Ben Simmons could be a point guard on a championship team, his reply was, “I don’t know the answer to that right now.” To hear a deflating comment like this from your coach and for the whole world to hear isn’t a good look.

“When Doc got there and they had the disagreement or whatever happened in the playoffs and you know the blame went on him because he didn’t take that shot. That was the end of it,” ‘Agent Zero’ pointed out. “Doc threw him under the bus. Embiid threw him under the bus, so for the most part he probably didn’t want to go back there.”

And how did Simmons manage the situation? First, he took the rebellious route, not playing, not showing up, as Philly continued to fine him. Later, was the “acting job,” as Gil describes Ben’s back injuries. Either way, it was a colossal failure. But one that Ben Simmons took to heart. And from Arenas’ words, something that will motivate him to step up his game.

Hopefully, he can play the best basketball of his career this year.