Watch: Nets' Ben Simmons does the unthinkable

The three-time All-Star has been one of the most critiqued players in the NBA in recent years, and while his overall game has mysteriously worsened over time, there's one area he's remained consistent: the free-throw line.

Simmons's consistency at the free-throw line isn't a good thing, as he's had major struggles from the charity stripe since his first NBA season in 2017-18.

The point guard is a career 59.1% free-throw shooter across 317 regular-season contests, and he's been even worse in the playoffs, making 52% of his attempts in 34 games. Simmons's 25-for-73 (34.2%) showing during the 2020-21 postseason all but wrapped up his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The lefty was acquired by the Nets in a blockbuster February 2022 trade that saw former MVP guard James Harden land with the Sixers. Harden now, ironically, wants out of Philadelphia.

After sitting out the entire 2021-22 campaign in Brooklyn, Simmons' first official season with the team in 2022-23 was a disaster.

With the Nets failing to meet lofty expectations, both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were traded in February. Simmons ended the year playing a career-low 42 games (33 starts) with career-worsts in points (6.9), rebounds (6.3), assists (6.1), steals (1.3) and minutes per contest (26.3) as well.

The former No. 1 overall pick went just 25-for-57 from the free-throw line last season, also giving him his worst free-throw percentage (43.9%) of his career.

Nets fans are crossing their collective fingers that Simmons's impressive showing from the line on Wednesday is a sign of things to come.