![]() ![]() ![]() While there’s no doubting his basketball talent, drama just follows his guy and something new always comes up. There’s not much more to say about the controversial guard that hasn’t already been said. Looming over it all is Irving (there’s a common theme here). The chemistry just hasn’t been there nor has it looked like a genuine team, with Durant’s star power at times keeping them in games. ![]() It’s largely been on the defensive end where the Nets have struggled collectively, ranked 22nd in the league in defensive rating (113.2), while their middle-of-the-road offensive (112.4) hasn’t provided enough of a buffer. Key pieces Joe Harris and Seth Curry have been below their best form as they too ramp back up after injuries. This isn’t to pin all the Nets’ woes on Simmons, but his situation is similar to Russell Westbrook’s in LA in that as the third star and third highest paid player on the team, there’s a greater onus on his overall value, fit with the side and thus need for it to perform.īeyond Durant and Irving (on the court), Nic Claxton and Royce O’Neale are the only other players the Nets are getting good value from, although Claxton’s clunky fit with Simmons is an issue. “They don’t have a shot if Ben Simmons does not become close to what he was in Philadelphia.” No, now you’re just hoping for that guy in Philadelphia who gave you 16 (points), eight (rebounds) and eight (assists) and never shot a jumper – he’s 30 per cent of that. “Forget Philadelphia (Simmons) plus add a little shot and he’s great. “Now it’s at a point where you just hope he can be Philadelphia Ben,” Fox Sports’ (US) Chris Broussard said on The Herd. The Nets have been slow out of the gates at 4-7 (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Source: FOX SPORTS Growing pains were to be expected with Simmons after missing so much time, but there’s genuine concerns the former Pick 1, who’s contracted until the 2024/25 season for a total of $112 million, might never get back to the player he once was. ![]() Through seven games, Simmons has averaged career lows across the board (5.6 points, six rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.1 steals), also hampered by a knee issue that saw him come off the bench in Tuesday’s game against Dallas – and he’s even linked to trade talks. However Simmons, albeit playing for the first time in 16 months, has looked a shadow of his former self at both ends of the floor, struggling with foul trouble and being too passive offensively. Heck, some even thought Brooklyn won the Simmons-Harden trade, suggesting the Aussie would fit better alongside Durant and Irving. They now sit a more respectful (but still lacklustre) 4-7, and to some concern, went 2-0 in the games both Irving and Simmons missed. Plus last season, just like this season, was mired in uncertainty due to Irving’s ongoing absence due to New York City’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate.īut with the vaccine mandate and Durant’s trade saga (more on that later) behind them, plus three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive team Simmons coming in, there was renewed hope about what this team could do and let its basketball do the talking.īut within just over a week, Brooklyn’s record was 1-5, culminating in the firing of coach Steve Nash days later, replaced by Jacque Vaughn on an interim basis before he After all, Brooklyn finished seventh in the East last season with 44 wins despite its big three of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden only playing 16 games together before the latter was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade for Ben Simmons. ![]()
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