After a rough opening night, Simmons showed glimpses of what could be in Brooklyn’s bounce-back win over the Toronto Raptors.
For the Nets, Friday night’s 109-105 win over the Raptors helped ease early concerns from their opening night blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
In that game Wednesday night, Simmons – playing in his first game as a Net – recorded just four points. He added five assists and five rebounds in 23 minutes of action before fouling out.
He appeared nervous at times, reaching in too much which led to early foul trouble.
After the game, Simmons did acknowledge he was nervous.
The three-time All-Star sat out the entire 2021-22 season. He initially stepped away from the Philadelphia 76ers to focus on his mental health and then suffered a back injury following his trade to Brooklyn.
Fast forward to Friday night, the crowd at Barclays Center saw glimpses of the Ben Simmons the Nets are hoping will combine with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as a legit Big Three.
Simmons recorded six points (3-of-5 shooting) along with 10 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in 32 minutes against the Raptors.
The rust is still there, that’ll take some time to go away. The nerves, however, didn’t appear to be there.
“A step up for Ben. From the jump he was more aggressive,” Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters. “He got in the paint, every time he gets in the paint he causes problems. … He’s starting to show the player he can be, and I still think he’s got a ways to go, so really proud of him. He shook off the first night, and I thought he was much more aggressive in an important game for us.”
This was indeed an important game for the Nets
With high expectations, getting off to a fast start is imperative.
For the Nets to have success, Simmons must get back to what made him an All-Star. That means being a difference-maker on defense, getting rebounds, and using his play-making skills as a passer.
In Friday night’s win over the Raptors, Simmons showed flashes of the attack-mode style of play which makes him so dangerous.
“Just attack,” Simmons said of what Nash has told him. “Just be me. It’s easy to say, but to go and do it, it’s tough. But that’s on me. Keep pushing myself.”
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
