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Ben Simmons has played in just 42 games over the last two seasons due to a back injury. With the conclusion of the 2022-23 NBA season, Simmons has already started preparing for next season. He recently posted an image on Instagram of him working in the gym trying to get back to his best.
He also seemingly took a shot at his haters with the post, saying:
"Minding my business and working my a** off," Simmons wrote. "Chop wood carry water."
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It's not the first time Ben Simmons has posted about his workouts on social media. Simmons appears to be very busy since recovering from a nerve issue on his back that made him miss the rest of the regular season.
The three-time All-Star is coming off a subpar campaign for the Brooklyn Nets. He averaged just 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.3 steals in 42 games played.
He missed the entire 2021-22 season due to his holdout with the Philadelphia 76ers, as well as a recurring back issue after he was traded to the Nets.
Simmons won't turn 27 until next month, which means he has perhaps not reached his prime yet. However, back problems are not something many players fully recover from.
Dwight Howard lost his athleticism after undergoing back surgery, while back problems led to Larry Bird and Steve Nash's retirements as well.
Michael Porter Jr. has had three back surgeries since college and has not been back to his explosive self. It's possible that Simmons might not be the same player he once was, but he's too good and talented to be just a role player in the league.
Will Ben Simmons play for Australia in the 2023 FIBA World Cup?
Basketball Australia is willing to wait for Ben Simmons until August 25 before the start of the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Australia is drawn in Group E with Germany, Finland and Japan. All their group games will be played at the Okinawa Arena in Okinawa City, Japan.
Simmons has not played for Australia in past competitions like the 2016 Rio Olympics, 2019 FIBA World Cup or 2022 Tokyo Olympics. He was included in the Boomers' preliminary roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
He still has roughly more than a month left to make a decision about representing his country.
