I think people are increasingly seeing Simmons the same way they saw Exum; the less one sees them play, the more one’s dreams or imaginations influence their own perception.
The fact of the matter is Ben Simmons is a built-in Achilles heal in the playoffs. He’s one of the most immature, arrogant, un-repentant, self-unaware dickhead players I have seen in my lifetime. Lastly, him and Gobert on the same team multiplies how vulnerable the team is to scouting.
Unless, simultaneously:
-he is the only non-spacer on the floor
-he is the center of the universe of the offense
-he is not expected to bring any positive leadership attributes and subsequently
-the actual leadership of the team comes from elsewhere (that are somehow simultaneously high-level off-ball shooters that can help run the offense when Simmons rests)
Then it won’t work out. WHY IN THE **** DO YOU THINK THE SIXERS GAVE UP? They know better than anyone how problematic he is and how difficult it is to build a champion around him.