Inside The Nets

Ben Simmons' agent takes accountability regarding his client's injury troubles

Simmons continues to suffer from the same injury.

Peter Sunjic

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After being ruled out for a few games with leg soreness, the confirmed diagnosis was his lingering lower-back nerve impingement. It has become a recurring issue for Ben Simmons, considering it was the primary injury that took him out for an extended period earlier this season.

It is a disappointing development because the Brooklyn Nets need Ben to succeed. His playmaking and defense bring so much to the table for the team, but they’re still not getting it due to this recurring issue. It is a challenging situation that has led to Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, taking accountability.

“It is a continuation of the same injury that he has dealt with all year. We are trying to get clearer answers as to how to get him out of the reactive cycle he's in,” Lee told SNY’s Ian Begley. 

"We continue to try and find non-surgical options to allow Ben to move forward on a permanent basis, and that is where this is my responsibility, and I am the one to blame.”

Ben is working hard behind the scenes

Despite Ben facing criticism due to his injury issues, Lee said that the Aussie does not deserve the blame. The veteran agent wants to take the brunt of the blame because he is not doing well in finding the best specialists to help his client.

There might be some medical professionals who could help Ben do this without needing surgery. However, Lee wasn’t successful in doing so, but he did commend Simmons for his hard work and dedication behind the scenes, which fans and critics do not see.

The offseason will determine Ben’s future in the NBA

While Ben is still one of the most promising players due to his skill set as a playmaker and defender, he has a murky future if this injury continues to trouble him. Lee is doing his best to find the right way to treat his client, but the offseason might be a crossroads in making decisions.

“Come the offseason, we're going to implement some processes and outside input that'll allow him to finally move forward from this ongoing issue and resume his career at the levels he's established prior to being injured,” Lee said about Simmons’ issues with his lower back.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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