The Reluctant

Well, at least we know one thing: No one will ever confuse the guy with Willis Reed.

"The guy," of course, being Ben Simmons, a professional basketball player who doesn't seem all that interested in playing basketball. He was finally supposed to play for the Nets in Game 4 against the Celtics tonight -- an elimination game, mind you, with the Nets the potential eliminee -- but, nah. Darn back acted up again.

So he'll sit, once more, just when the Nets need him most. Somewhere Reed is shaking his great head, having limped out on one good leg 50 years ago to help his Knicks hold the Lakers at arm's length in the NBA Finals.

I don't know what you do with a guy like Simmons. He sulked his way out of Philly after pouting for months about perceived slights; he still hasn't played a game for the Nets, although he's been shooting for weeks now and was cleared for contact last week.

Which is why he was supposed to finally play tonight.

It being Simmons, no one with a working brain cell actually thought he would.

So no surprise his back acted up again, and, listen, I'm not the guy to tell you it's not legit. Backs are tricky things, and when you injure them it limits you in ways you never could imagine. Especially if your game is basketball.

And yet ...

And yet, who can remember Larry Bird playing through his back issues in his sunset years?

Or Michael Jordan playing what's become known as the Flu Game?

Or all the others down through the years who've taken the floor bruised, battered, hurt or injured because, well, it's what expected of you as someone who's getting paid great sums to play?

What do you do with someone who's not willing to do that?

You've heard of  The Revenant, in which Leo DiCaprio gets mauled by a bear and suffers untold agonies to make it back to civilization (and an Oscar!)? 

Call this The Reluctant.

It was a miracle Philly was able to unload Simmons on the Nets after he spent all those months acting like a 3-year-old who's been denied a cookie. Now that he hasn't played a minute for his new team in (checks notes) two months, who would want him even if the Nets, like Philly, got sick enough of him to trade him?

And, yes, I know, someone certainly would. He's got a certain undeniable skill set, although it doesn't involve shooting straight. In the right system, where he can function solely as a facilitator, he could probably thrive.

If you could get him to play, that is.

And if no one says anything negative about him, and he goes into pout mode again.

Which you wouldn't want bet against, either.