Ben Simmons’ former coach says Kings getting a different player

Ben Simmons is officially back in the NBA. According to someone who knows him particularly well, the Kings may be getting a different version of him.

David Patrick, Simmons’ godfather and former coach with LSU and the Australian national team, told Sacramento’s Sactown Sports 1140 that the 30-year-old looks healthier, hungrier and more confident after his extended time away from the NBA.

“Being off a year and a half gives you a new lease on life, so to speak,” Patrick said. “It also takes less miles off your body, so he’s 30, but he’s basically a year and a half off in terms of the pounding of the NBA, and I think his hunger for the game is back.”

Simmons was once viewed as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, earning three All-Star selections before injuries and everything else sent his career in an entirely different direction. Patrick believes some of the criticism also came from expectations that probably weren’t particularly realistic.

“People thought Ben Simmons was going to be the next LeBron, or Magic, or whatever the case may be, and I think that’s where their frustration comes,” Patrick said.

Nobody in Sacramento needs Simmons to become LeBron James or Magic Johnson now. The Kings signed him to a one-year minimum contract and have rookie Darius Acuff Jr. positioned as their point guard of the future. Simmons can defend, facilitate, rebound and help the kid along.

Anything beyond that is gravy. And perhaps the year away really did make Simmons hungry again. We’re about to find out.