No person is aware of what Ben Simmons will likely be or when he will likely be it for the Nets. Such is the fact of Simmons not having performed a aggressive recreation of basketball since June 2021. With every week left till the Nets open the season at dwelling towards the Pelicans, coach Steve Nash is keen to attend.
“I believe with Ben, numerous it isn't simply the understanding, it’s the reps,” Nash mentioned Tuesday. “He hasn’t performed for a very long time. He’s coming off a again surgical procedure. I believe there’s some durations of indecision and confidence that he has to achieve from enjoying. All of us do. We are able to’t take that a lot break day, be part of a brand new group and simply determine it out, Day 1. He wants time.
“We’ll be affected person with Ben as a result of he's an extremely proficient and distinctive participant. He’s not gonna be his greatest within the brief time period. He’s gonna proceed to slog by means of this era of returning to play and getting his confidence, timing and rhythm again.”
Simmons has struggled within the preseason up to now, committing eight turnovers and displaying little curiosity in capturing except he’s across the rim.
“Simply belief in him, move him the ball when he’s open,” Kevin Durant mentioned, when requested the right way to assist Simmons construct confidence. “I’m not right here to be babysitting anyone, Ben is aware of that. If he acquired the time to be aggressive, go be aggressive. Who provides a s— should you make it or miss it? I identical to you being aggressive.”
The Nets will want Simmons, who was acquired final yr in a deal that despatched James Harden to Philadelphia, to finally be the participant he was with the Sixers, and hopefully extra. An absence of need to shoot the ball isn't precisely new to his recreation, however that high quality took on a lifetime of its personal through the 2021 postseason, and the status has dogged Simmons since. Added to the questions round how he’ll modify to enjoying in Brooklyn, it makes for a state of affairs that can virtually definitely require endurance from the Nets.
Nash was requested Tuesday the right way to assist Simmons if he struggles within the season’s early goings.
“The primary factor is to assist him, be right here for him, get him perception,” Nash mentioned. “I believe all of us imagine in him and all of us suppose he’ll make a big impact. It’s simply, gotta give him time.”
Joe Harris (foot) didn’t observe however did some mild capturing. Nash mentioned he would journey with the group to Milwaukee, however not play on Wednesday.
Seth Curry (ankle) received’t play this week, however Nash left the door open to him enjoying at first of the common season.
“We’ll see,” Nash mentioned. “It’d be an excessive amount of for me to decide to that proper now, however it’s not out of the query.”
Edmond Sumner (hip pressure) is day-to-day.
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