Ben Simmons, Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson were the only three players to achieve this feat. Simmons doesn’t have a team right now.
Simmons has a tragic NBA story. The previous number one pick has fought both mental and physical challenges during his time in the league.
The beginning of Simmons’ career meant he was considered one of the NBA’s next superstars. Nine years later, the league appears to have given up on him, even after matching the great magical Johnson with this stat.
Simmons’ Philadelphia 76ers was the next big thing. He and Joel Embiid led them into a promising season each year when he was drafted. He announced a big performance in the postseason.
Simmons joined Robertson as the only NBA player with at least 10 triple doubles in each of his first two seasons. He also joined Robertson and Johnson as the only player to record at least 200 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists throughout the first 13 playoff games.
Robertson and Johnson have six NBA titles, four MVPs and 18 NBA first teams. They were two of the greatest players of all time, and both hit the ground running in their prestigious careers. Johnson won the championship as a rookie.
Many superstars have had an incredible start to their careers since Johnson. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant never achieved this. But Simmons did.
Now, Simmons is far from the height that NBA legend has reached after a back injury and a mental shooting block.
Simmons has failed tenure with the LA Clippers and Brooklyn Net since demanding trade from Philadelphia, but now he is looking for a fourth team. There is hope that Simmons can rejuvenate his career, but his next stop should be suitable for him.
He became so passive that Clippers head coach Ty Lou said Simmons needed to forget to score and remind him. He was once a pass first point guard. Now he’s scared to shoot.
Simmons said he felt he wanted in LA but played 18 games and averaged three points since joining in February. He missed several games in March with continued left knee pain.
Previous No. 1 picks need to be reconstructed physically and mentally. Otherwise he will become one of the NBA’s biggest “What IFS?” always.