He’s also 6’10. I don’t play basketball, but a 6’10 player who moves like a 6’3 player (Speed wise) seems pretty damn unstoppable. What the hell happened???
He was good a few years ago. He’s been hurt and mentally out of it for a while
It’s somewhat of a mental health thing.
Severe case of the yips
Mental & physical injuries
Rookie of the Year winners sometimes don’t turn out as expected. Ben Simmons in 2017-18, Malcolm Brogdon in 2016-17, Michael Carter-Williams in 2013-14, Tyreke Evans in 2009-10, Emeka Okafor in 2004-05, and Mike Miller in 2000-01 were all RotY winners, but didn’t live up to the hype.
Simiiliarly, number one draft picks sometimes don’t turn out as expected. Markelle Fultz in 2017, Ben Simmons in 2016, Anthony Bennett in 2013, and Kwame Brown in 2001 were all number one draft picks who, again, didn’t live up to the hype.
Can’t shoot, confidence issues, back issues
It’s those last two more than anything. For years he was a consistent 15-17 ppg scorer on good TS% despite having no 3 pt range (or any range) and being a terrible FT shooter.
That sort of player, who also runs the offense and is a strong defender, can absolutely have an impact despite a lack of shooting. And he proved it. But injuries and the rest have taken a toll, and certainly teams have also adapted.
You don’t play basketball? Neither does Ben.