Ben Simmons geared up to start Nets' engine after idling for long time
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons looks on against the Miami Heat during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game at Barclays Center on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Ben Simmons couldn’t stop smiling Wednesday morning.
The day Simmons had been waiting for had finally come, and he made it clear to reporters at the team’s morning shootaround that he was pumped up to play his first regular-season game in nearly a year and a half.
“Ready to go," Simmons said hours before the Nets opened the season against the Pelicans at Barclays Center. “Very excited and I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing and starting the season. We’ve got a great group of guys here and we're ready to roll.”
Simmons, who was traded from the 76ers to the Nets in February, missed all of last season because of mental health and back issues. Wednesday night's game against the Pelicans will be his first non-preseason game since Game 7 of the 76ers-Hawks playoff series on June 20, 2021.
Simmons is well aware that he could be the X-factor for the Nets. The addition of a healthy Simmons is the major difference between this Nets team and the one that was swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last season. He has the skill set to both upgrade the Nets' subpar defense and the playmaking skills to diversify their offense, especially in transition.
"If I'm not aggressive, this team's not going . . . you know?" Simmons said. "Like if I'm not pushing the ball, if I'm not finding my guys then those easy shots that we're getting now are not going to happen. So I got to be the motor."
Ben Simmons knocks down a jumper at shoot around. pic.twitter.com/NEF9XZbCDM
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) October 19, 2022
Simmons believes he has found a home with the Nets in Brooklyn and appreciates the support he has received from his teammates and the organization. Coach Steve Nash and superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have told Simmons that it’s all right to be a little nervous Wednesday night, after not having played in so long.
“[Durant] was just telling me you’re supposed to feel that, you know? If you weren’t feeling it there’d be something wrong,” Simmons said. “But I feel excited. I’m ready to go. I can’t wait to get out there. This is what I do. So, I love to do it. And I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
That’s quite a contrast to how Simmons felt in Philadelphia last year.
Simmons was made a scapegoat for the 76ers' second-round exit from the playoffs in 2021 after a poor showing in Game 7 against the Hawks. After the game, coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t know if Simmons had what it takes to be a point guard on a championship team. His teammate also did not rally to his defense.
Citing mental health issues, Simmons requested a trade and was ultimately sent to Brooklyn in the James Harden deal just before the deadline. Back problems kept him from playing for the Nets after the trade.
“Slowly getting back to who I am and who I’m supposed to be,” Simmons said when asked about his development during training camp. “Still taking a lot of time. I’ve only played four games — but over time I’m going to get there.”
Simmons was looking forward to being tested Wednesday night as the Pelicans have oft-injured Zion Williamson back. Simmons, a runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2020-21, will usually be charged with guarding the opponent's top player. In his best preseason game, Simmons held the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo to 6-for-21 shooting.
“Yeah there’s not many guys in the league who can do that,” Simmons said when asked about setting the tone of a game through defense. “So I take that opportunity when it comes to guard the best players in the world. So it’s a pretty good job.”
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
