‘We need him out there’: Ben Simmons’ next big challenge in Aussie’s pre-season NBA statement

It will take much more than a pair of preseason video games to show that Ben Simmons is again to his outdated kind.

That received’t come till he performs in the identical approach through the common season.

And even then, along with his harm historical past, it’s arduous to know simply how a lot the Nets can rely on the 27-year-old.

But Simmons, the primary general decide within the 2016 draft due to his distinctive mixture of dimension and athleticism, has actually given the Nets cause to hope that he simply would possibly have the ability to carry out like an All-Star once more this season.

After a promising outing within the group’s first preseason recreation in opposition to the Lakers, Simmons adopted up with an analogous displaying Thursday night time at Barclays Center, albeit whereas going through knowledgeable group from Israel, with just a few fringe NBA gamers filling out the roster.

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Still, there was no denying Simmons’ quickness, in addition to his deft contact on passes — and even some strong kind on mid-range jumpers.

For a Nets group that has Simmons beneath contract for one more two years and $77 million, there’s trigger for optimism — together with from Simmons himself.

“I’m still fast, I still jump high [and] I’m still strong,” Simmons mentioned after the sport, relating to the elements of his recreation that he has regained after coping with knee and again points final season.

“I’ve had to adapt to the game, but I think my [basketball] IQ and the way I play the game, I’m able to affect the game in multiple ways, [even] without the athleticism that, at the end of the day, I got back,” Simmons mentioned.

“I looked OK [on the court]. I’m getting better.”

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Whether he can get again to being a menace who can rating 16 factors per recreation, seize eight rebounds and add assists every recreation — in addition to some steals — shall be a matter of how wholesome Simmons can keep.

Simmons and head coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned their communication has been sturdy about how a lot work he is ready to face up to.

For now, Simmons is having fun with the truth that he’s enjoying like he’s able to once more.

“It’s amazing,” Simmons mentioned. “It feels really good. I’m not really one to talk too much to the media when it’s not needed, so it’s fun to just come out here, play my game and let everyone else do the talking.”

Like Mikal Bridges, as an example, who famous one other approach Simmons impacts the sport when he’s on the ground.

“Just the force [he brings],” Bridges mentioned.

“It makes our team just way much better and to have him out there, happy that he’s healthy. … We need him out there. It’s just how our team was built and how good a player he is, we need that and it’s going to elevate us more.”

And Royce O’Neale, who mentioned: “Just to see him back out there, being himself, being healthy, that’s a huge blessing. The way he leads our team, being the point guard, initially finding guys open, being aggressive, it’s a learning process for him and him building back his confidence.”

That confidence was obvious on Thursday and shall be examined once more Monday, when the Nets play their subsequent preseason recreation, this time in opposition to Simmons’ outdated group, the 76ers, in Brooklyn.

Simmons was a three-time All-Star in Philadelphia earlier than he was swapped for James Harden in February 2022.

Plenty of questions proceed to encompass each mercurial stars, with Harden’s in search of a commerce from the Sixers, and the highlight shall be on every of them Monday.

This article was first revealed on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission.