Newly acquired Ben Simmons isn’t precisely certain when he'll be capable of swimsuit up for the Nets, however the three-time All-Star expressed that he’s “super-excited” to land in Brooklyn after experiencing what he described as “darkish instances” on the finish of his tenure with the Sixers.
In his first public feedback because the tumultuous conclusion of his ultimate season in Philadelphia final June, Simmons addressed his commerce request and criticism and skepticism he confronted over his time away from the group for everything of this season, partly to maintain his psychological well being.
“I’ve had some darkish instances over the past six months and I’m simply completely satisfied to be on this state of affairs with this group and group,” Simmons stated in a press convention Tuesday on the Nets’ observe facility. “Individuals are gonna say what they need. They’ve stated it the final six months and I haven’t commented and it's what it's. Individuals are all the time gonna have their very own opinions.
“However I feel simply the best way all people’s welcomed me right here has been nice. It’s been a really constructive expertise, simply being right here to this point. And I’m wanting ahead to what’s to return.”
Simmons, who was flanked on a podium by Nets normal supervisor Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, added he’s “undoubtedly” excited for a contemporary begin. He additionally joked “we’ll be right here all day” if he responded to all the criticism he generated till his inclusion within the blockbuster commerce that jettisoned sad All-Star guard James Harden from Brooklyn final week.
“I feel I didn’t sleep a lot the primary few days, however general it’s been an ideal expertise to this point,” the 25-year-old Simmons stated. “The group has welcomed me like their very own and no matter I want they’ve been very supportive with that, which has been nice, identical because the gamers. Tremendous excited to get on the market finally and play.”
The 6-foot-11 level guard wouldn’t undertaking a timetable for his Nets debut, though he replied “I hope so” when requested if he expects to be taking part in nicely forward of a possible return sport in Philadelphia on March 10.
“I don’t have a date but. However I’m working in the direction of getting again to the ground … I’m beginning to ramp it up,” Simmons stated.
Whereas he has spoken with Sixers proprietor Josh Harris, GM Elton Model, coach Doc Rivers and teammates similar to Tobias Harris because the commerce, Simmons notably acknowledged that he has not spoken to All-Star heart Joel Embiid, who had been crucial of him publicly since final season ended.
“For me, it was simply ensuring mentally I used to be proper to get on the market and play. In order that’s one thing that I’ve been, coping with. And it wasn’t concerning the followers or coaches or feedback made by anyone; it was only a private factor for me,” Simmons stated. “It was a bunch of issues I used to be coping with as an individual in my private life that I don’t actually need to go into depth with.
“However yeah, I’m right here now. So it’s a blessing to be in a company like this. And I’m simply wanting ahead to getting again on the ground, and doing one thing nice right here.”
With Kevin Durant presently sidelined with a knee harm and Kyrie Irving eligible solely for almost all of highway video games resulting from his unvaccinated COVID-19 standing, the Nets had misplaced 11 consecutive video games earlier than successful Monday evening towards Sacramento at Barclays Heart.
Simmons sat on the bench, whereas the 2 gamers acquired with him within the blockbuster deal — shooter Seth Curry and massive man Andre Drummond — moved into the beginning lineup of their Nets debuts.
“I’m excited to get on the ground with these guys, unbelievable group, unbelievable expertise, so I’m tremendous excited,” Simmons stated when requested about finally taking part in alongside Durant and Irving. “I feel it’s gonna be scary. Having these guys run alongside me, a number of completely different weapons on the ground. I feel on the tempo we need to play at, it’s going to be unreal.”
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