‘Best version of himself’: Simmons the key to NBA’s hottest team as Aussie inspires 17-year record

The Nets are using the longest profitable streak within the league this season, and their greatest since 2005-06. And throughout this run, their greatest web score doesn’t belong to high-scoring stars Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving.

It belongs to Ben Simmons.

Coming into Thursday (AEDT)’s sport with the Hawks, Simmons has the crew’s greatest web score (+21.7) and defensive score (106.6), in addition to even the highest offensive score (127.9) among the many common rotation gamers. What’s been the key?

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“I think he could probably answer that better. But me as a teammate, just seeing him smile, have fun and be competitive, that’s him being himself,” Irving mentioned of Simmons.

“So anytime he could just be himself and trust that we have his back, I feel like he’s the best version of himself.”

That greatest model of himself is what Brooklyn anticipated ultimately season’s commerce deadline when the Nets shipped former MVP James Harden to Philadelphia for him.

The Nets are determining how one can transfer across the high-IQ Simmons and play off him in ways in which permit him to not simply coexist with fellow non-shooter Nic Claxton, however really thrive when want be. And on the opposite finish, he’s beginning to seem like the star who was as soon as runner-up for defensive participant of the 12 months honour.

After Jazz star Donovan Mitchell was perceived to have thrown shade at Simmons within the offseason, Simmons helped maintain him to fifteen factors on simply 5 of 16 capturing Monday evening, barely half of his ordinary gaudy 28.9 common.

Now there are studies that Harden might look to depart Philadelphia in free company. After forcing his means off the Rockets and Nets, if he bolts the 76ers as properly, he’ll begin to look as flighty as a Kardashian’s relationship historical past.

This article was initially revealed on the New York Post and was republished with permission.