Nets' dual-guard experiment with Ben Simmons and Dennis Schroder works in preseason win over Wizards
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, center, is fouled by the Nets' Ben Simmons in the first half during ann NBA preseason game Monday at Barclays Center. Credit: AP/Heather Khalifa
For the Nets, games are about the bigger picture during this rebuild. Monday’s preseason home opener, for instance, was about assessing their radical dual-point guard experiment.
Ben Simmons and Dennis Schroder started together against the Wizards, another team expected to struggle this season. The pairing looked more comfortable in the 131-92 win at Barclays Center than the Nets’ preseason loss last week to the Clippers.
Simmons aggressively drove for a pair of layups to start the game and also drew a charge in the first quarter. He ended the first half with a tip-in on a lob from Schroder.
Simmons had 11 first-half points in 13 minutes, a better showing than his 1-for-5 shooting effort in the Nets’ preseason opener. Both guards were also on the floor during most the Nets’ 14-0 run in the second quarter where the Nets got the lead for good.
In a game where coach Jordi Fernandez planned to extend his starters’ minutes, Simmons sat out the second half. It may have been precautionary, but it highlighted the lack of point guard depth. Schroder finished with 13 points and seven assists yet the Nets don’t have a reliable third point guard given Simmons’ injury history.
The Nets staggered the minutes for Schroder and Simmons for most the first half. It showed what they can do separately pushing the tempo and finding teammates. But it’s also banking on the hope that Simmons will be available.
Because of his back issues, he’s only played 57 games the last two seasons. Schroder, at 31, also shouldn’t face heavy minutes early after a summer playing in the Olympics with Germany.
So far, It’s a gamble that’s worked through two preseason games and it paid off well Tuesday. Cam Thomas had a game-high 17 points along with five rebounds. Cam Johnson scored 10 of his 11 points in the second quarter.
Shake Milton had 16 points off the bench while Jalen Wilson added 14 points.
The Nets also had 26 fast-break points after putting up 27 against the Clippers. Players noted Fernandez’ emphasis on conditioning and it has paying off with the Nets playing fast and turning 19 Wizards turnovers into 35 points.
Of course, playing fast helps with two point guards who thrive that way. For the Nets, they hope this experiment with Simmons and Schroder keeps thriving.
Hayes out
Killian Hayes missed his second consecutive preseason game with a hip injury. It’s one less chance for the Nets to see Hayes at game speed after he signed an Exhibit 10 contract this summer.
Hayes is looking to revive his career after the Pistons, who drafted him seventh overall in 2020, waived him last season. Fernandez was optimistic he’ll be available later this week.
“He's feeling much better. We like where he's at, and then we'll reevaluate [Tuesday],” Fernandez said. “[Hayes] was in a good place because he said that he was feeling better, and he got his work in, trying to get back.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
