When the Nets tip off the proverbial second half of the season Thursday evening in opposition to Boston, don’t anticipate Kevin Durant or Ben Simmons to be on the court docket. Nevertheless it sounds just like the duo may very well be taking part in sooner relatively than later.
Each had been on the court docket doing particular person work Tuesday because the Nets returned from the All-Star break. And Brooklyn GM Sean Marks mentioned although neither are more likely to play within the subsequent a number of days, he didn’t rule out the chance one or each taking part in pretty rapidly after their ramp-up.
“All I can say is I left the gymnasium proper earlier than coming over right here and I [saw] these guys on the court docket doing their particular person exercises,” Marks instructed a bunch of Nets season-ticket holders at Barclays Heart.
“Relying after they go, we’ve acquired to see how they reply to days like [Tuesday], and we’ll go ahead with this. It’s most likely going to be robust, to be sincere, to be taking part in within the subsequent three or 4 days. However we’ll see the way it all performs out. I’m definitely not going to wager in opposition to both a type of guys.”
The Nets’ solely full practices over the following couple of weeks are Wednesday earlier than going through the Celtics then March 5 earlier than embarking on a three-game highway journey that begins in opposition to those self same Celtics and ends March 10 versus the 76ers. It’s a return to Philadelphia that Simmons has mentioned he hopes to be able to make.
Durant has been out since hurting his MCL on Jan. 15 however returned to doing particular person on-court work a pair weeks in the past. Brooklyn is simply 7-16 with out him within the lineup this season, together with 4-13 since his harm.
In the meantime, Simmons has but to make his debut. Acquired on the deadline for James Harden, he had sat out this season citing psychological well being points. After forcing a transfer from the 76ers, his Nets debut “goes to be extra like weeks relatively than months” in accordance with ESPN. A two-week timeline for Simmons would put him in line for that aforementioned highway journey, and Philadelphia.
Marks mentioned the season’s inconsistent begin taught him just a few issues.
“Anytime it's a must to undergo the roller-coaster trip of an NBA season and what we’ve launched into 4 months in the past, it’s acquired its ups and downs,” Marks mentioned. “It’s by way of that adversity and thru these down moments that who you possibly can depend on, who you possibly can put your arm round and who you possibly can ask inquiries to and who’s there to help and who’s on this for the best causes.”
So far as why the Nets had been keen to deal away Harden for Simmons, Marks mentioned the 25-year-old is an ideal match and has been on the Nets’ want listing for some time.
“No secret: He’s an elite NBA basketball participant. We’ve had our eyes on him for fairly a while, reality be instructed. His versatility stands out, simply what he can do on each ends of the court docket offensively and defensively. It’s how he suits with that group, what we'd like, the place our holes are,” Marks instructed the ticket holders.
“Ben, he can lead the break, a man that may seize a defensive rebound and go, and everybody else can simply fill the lane. I don’t know if he’s a degree guard, I don’t know if he’s a 4 -man, I don’t know if he’s a 5-man. However I do know he’s a hell of a basketball participant. So we’re enthusiastic about him.”
Simmons has spent months understanding in varied South Jersey locales. His former highschool coach, Kevin Boyle, took in one of many exercises, and mentioned Simmons regarded match.
“I went over and watched him work out, caught up with him a little bit bit,” Boyle instructed The Submit. “It was good to see him. At that time he regarded like he was working laborious on this recreation. He was attempting to remain prepared, so I don’t assume it’ll take him too lengthy to get on the court docket and get taking part in. Clearly taking part in in opposition to different individuals is completely different, however I believe he’ll be pretty prepared.”
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