The Nets and newly acquired Ben Simmons each are “ecstatic” over the blockbuster commerce that introduced the three-time All-Star level guard to Brooklyn and shipped sad James Harden to Philadelphia.
The 25-year-old Simmons has not performed this season after requesting a commerce from the 76ers, citing psychological well being causes as a part of the rationale he has stayed away.
Simmons reported to Brooklyn for a bodily on Friday, however common supervisor Sean Marks mentioned the Nets stay not sure how shortly the 6-foot-11 guard will have the ability to be part of the lineup.
“Like all gamers, you’re right here to assist them. All people’s going by means of various things in [their] lives outdoors of basketball and we’re right here to assist Ben. We’re right here to assist clearly our complete group, complete group,” Marks mentioned. “All I can inform you is he was ecstatic concerning the circumstances that he was strolling into and so are we.
“We had been thrilled to get him on board and we’ll be right here to assist him from a bodily standpoint, from a psychological standpoint and get him engaged and get him round our group. I believe that’s cathartic unto itself. … Everybody likes their arm round one another and a hug from time to time and assist and so forth. I believe that’s what we’re gonna go into this case with arms large open, assist him, assist the brand new gamers to our workforce and get them collectively.”
Simmons, who will put on No. 10 with the Nets, has been criticized throughout his profession for a reluctance to shoot 3-pointers — he has simply 5 makes on 34 makes an attempt over 4 seasons — and for a poor profession free-throw share of 59.7.
Nonetheless, the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Yr has averaged 15.9 factors, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals throughout his profession. When they're at full power as soon as Kevin Durant (MCL) and others return from accidents, the Nets principally will want Simmons to play to his strengths of breaking down the protection, attending to the rim and facilitating for his teammates.
“Clearly, you guys have seen and watched us play and also you see the place a few of the holes are and to be fairly frank, Ben plugs lots of these holes. In reality, the three gamers that we’ve traded for match lots of our wants,” Marks mentioned, referring additionally to shooter Seth Curry and large man Andre Drummond. “You particularly requested about Ben, with the scale, the elite protection, elite passing expertise and ending on the rim, all of the issues that we want, the transition play, all of the issues that we’ve type of been brief on, to be fairly frank, over the course of this final 12 months.
“I believe we’re wanting ahead to Ben coming in and making an attempt to fill these roles.”
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