SACRAMENTO — Newly signed Kings guard Ben Simmons is officially returning to the spotlight with an upcoming E60 special titled Being Ben, finally giving basketball fans the shot they have spent several years waiting for.
Unfortunately, it is both figurative and, for Sacramento’s purposes, unexpectedly literal.
The documentary will reportedly revisit Simmons’ career, the Philadelphia fallout, injuries, criticism and the long-running question of what exactly happened after he stopped being an All-NBA player and became an ongoing debate topic.
In the teaser, Simmons is asked when things began to go wrong.
'The truth?' he responds.
ESPN producers reportedly considered ending the trailer there and marketing the entire project as a psychological thriller.
Sacramento, meanwhile, has already embraced Simmons as the latest addition to a roster apparently committed to exploring every possible version of basketball.
Team sources say coaches were especially encouraged when Simmons recently rose up and took an actual shot in front of teammates, prompting a level of bench celebration normally reserved for playoff game-winners and tax refunds.
One fictional Kings staffer called it 'a breakthrough, a miracle and possibly content for the closing credits.'
The organization insists it is not trying to change Simmons overnight and is instead focused on his defense, playmaking and general willingness to exist near the rim without opening a debate show segment.
Even so, the franchise remains hopeful the documentary title may become the first step toward a sequel.
Working title: Being Ben, But Also Occasionally Shooting.
