Problems in Athletic Performance: Ben Simmons

Problems in Athletic Performance
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Case Initiation
The chosen athlete for this initiative is Australian point guard Ben Simmons, 26, who now plays for the Brooklyn Nets after formerly playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons gained notoriety in the world of basketball at a young age. Simmons succeeded in school, receiving accolades and fellowships along the way. In 2016, he was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first general pick, and he was named Rookie of the Year. Simmons' performance was significantly damaged by a fall in confidence, drive, and consistency in 2021. He battled with missed free throws in a pivotal game seven against the Atlanta Hawks and squandered simple scoring chances. That game and the Philadelphia 76ers' opportunity to go to the championship were lost. Simmons disclosed his psychological problems to his team following the game's conclusion. Still, regardless of having medical attention for a back ailment, he neglected to seek aid from the team medics.
Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets by the Philadelphia 76ers owing to his mental health issues and refusal to seek assistance. Since joining the Nets, he has played fewer than 20 games due to physical and mental health difficulties. His back condition and mental health issues have seriously prevented him from functioning to the best of his abilities. Ben Simmons may have had performance challenges as a result of personality disorders. He was quiet, cautious, and self-critical. It may be difficult for him to handle pressure and criticism from others because of his propensity to keep his emotions under wraps and be the "strong silent type." This is consistent with ideas from sport psychology, such as how personality qualities affect performance. For instance, the Big Five personality qualities, especially neuroticism, and conscientiousness, might affect how well an athlete perceives himself and how they react to stress.
Evaluation
Personality characteristics have a significant impact on how an athlete behaves and performs. Ben Simmons' reserved demeanor may make it difficult for him to freely express his feelings, get support, or successfully interact with teammates and coaches. Their on-court chemistry and overall performance may suffer due to the team dynamic lacking coherence and understanding (Hogan, 2021). Self-criticism is both a strength and a weakness. Excessive self-criticism may undermine confidence and impair performance, even if self-reflection and self-evaluation are crucial for growth and development.
Motivational issues. Simmons' waning motivation and inconsistent behavior indicate that motivational problems influence his athletic performance. His unwillingness to make simple shots and his perception of criticism from teammates and spectators indicate a decline in inner desire. Motivational theories, such as the self-determination theory, may explain how an athlete's motivation and performance are influenced by the satisfaction of psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). Simmons's decreased motivation can result from needing to feel more competent and autonomous to handle demands.
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