Bobby Simmons (born June 2, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player. During his NBA career, Simmons played for five NBA teams between 2001 and 2012. He won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2005.
Simmons signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Clippers on September 26, 2003.
The 6 ft 8 in (203 cm), 235 lb (107 kg) small forward had a breakout year during the 2004–05 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers in which he averaged a career-high 16.4 points per game. That season, on November 3, Simmons scored a team-leading and career-high 30 points during a win over the Seattle SuperSonics.[2] He was rewarded for his stellar play with that season's NBA Most Improved Player Award.
Milwaukee Bucks (2005–2008)
Simmons signed a free-agent contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on August 8, 2005, shortly after the new collective bargaining agreement was finalized. Since his breakout year with the Clippers, Simmons struggled to reach the same level of play. In his first year with the Bucks, his points, rebounds and shooting percentages all declined. Then in 2006, an ankle injury suffered in training camp during October forced him to miss the entire 2006–07 season.[3] In December of the same year and then January 2007, a surgery to remove bone spurs and surgery to remove a cyst in his foot both complicated his recovery.[4]
New Jersey Nets (2008–2010)
Simmons was traded along with Yi Jianlian to the New Jersey Nets for Richard Jefferson on June 26, 2008, just a few hours before that year's NBA draft.[5] While his season was not as productive as before, he still managed to finish 5th in the league in 3-point shooting percentage.
San Antonio Spurs (2010)
In September 2010, Simmons signed with the San Antonio Spurs; however, the team waived him in November after he went scoreless in 2 games played.[6]
Reno Bighorns (2011–2012)
In March 2011, Simmons signed with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League.[7]
Return to the Clippers (2012)
On February 27, 2012, the Los Angeles Clippers signed Simmons to a 10-day contract.[8] On March 9, 2012, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Clippers.[9] He signed a contract for the rest of the season on March 24, 2012.[10] Simmons' final NBA game was Game 4 of the 2012 Western Conference Semi-Finals against the San Antonino Spurs on May 20, 2012. In his final game, Simmons recorded 2 points on 25% FG shooting in 6 and half minutes of playing time. This was the end of the Clippers' season as they lost Game 4 99 - 102 and thus were swept by the Spurs.
In December 2012, Simmons said that he was still interested in playing professional basketball.[11]
Off the court
Simmons and Lavelle Sykes founded a Chicago clothing store called Succezz. Simmons also owns a nightclub in Chicago called Society.[12]
