"Suddenly Understanding Simmons After a Waist Injury" - When I stood up, I finally empathized with Simmons struggle

Before my waist sprained, I always had a sarcastic state of Ben Simmons, thinking that a mere waist injury could make an All-Star No. 1 pick on the verge of retirement and no ball to play. But when I really suffered a waist sprain recently, I began to reflect gradually and even admire Ben Simmons, whose greatness is beyond people's imagination! As the most questioned No. 1 pick in NBA history, Ben Simmons clearly has an enviable top-level control level, a good sense of defense, a height of 2.08 meters, and a 2.14 meters wingspan. It can be said to be a defender with a power forward figure. People are looking forward to it, but his career has been down due to a waist injury.

Ben Simmons' waist injury is mainly a lumbar disc herniation. The first injury originated from 2022 when he was going up the stairs at home, and the symptoms gradually worsened. , manifestations of nerve compression such as numbness in the left leg

In May 2022, Simmons underwent a microdiscectomy. By removing the herniated disc tissue, he relieved nerve compression

In March 2024, due to a lumbar injury, he relapsed and nerve compression again. He underwent a second microdiscectomy. Although the operation relieved part of the pain, the waist injury and long-term recovery caused irreversible damage to his motor ability. After the operation, he could no longer change rapidly as quickly as his peak. The lack of waist strength has also made him feel helpless in the face of high-intensity confrontation. Last season, Simmons played only 18 games for the Clippers, averaging 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game

The recurring attacks of waist injuries not only harmed the body, but also had a negative impact on his body and mind. After the operation in 2024, Simmons bluntly stated that physical and mental recovery was too difficult, and he considered retirement, and more and more players stood up to defend him, believing that he did not want to play, but because the waist injury was too serious

The pain when the waist injury occurred was far beyond imagination. You can never judge whether the next action would cause a lightning sting. Sometimes the nerve roots were compressed, and the pain may radiate from the waist to the buttocks and legs. Not to mention professional athletes like Ben Simmons. Compared with other fractures such as fractures, this nerve-induced pain is even more tormenting mentality

As we all know, waist injuries require rest, but as a professional athlete, Simmons can only recuperate in summer, and this time is not enough to support the recovery of 100% state. Once an injury occurs again, people will instinctively fear confrontation, fearing that high-intensity sports

Although Ben Simmons has not been a NBA player, he has never given up and is still waiting for an opportunity to prove himself. It is not that winning the championship is success, nor is it that only being elected as an MVP is success. The criteria for success are diverse. At least for me, Ben Simmons is already considered GOAT for all those who suffer from back injuries

When I stood up, I finally empathized with Simmons' struggle

Simmons, I was wrong