In his short time with the Brooklyn Nets, Ben Simmons has been heavily scrutinized for his play. Last year, he averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 26 minutes per game. His numbers were subpar for the caliber of player he is. Additionally, injuries hampered his ability to stay on the court. Despite the setbacks, Simmons is bracing for a resurgence with the Nets next season. He appears to be healthy again and is working hard on his body this summer. Here are three reasons why his breakout revival with the Nets is near.
Ben Simmons’ Brooklyn Nets Breakout is Near: 3 Reasons Why
1. Simmons is Injury-Free
The most crucial factor in Ben Simmons’ play is his health. After dealing with a major back injury for over a year, Simmons has been cleared to play. In an article by the New York Times this past May, Simmons’ agent Bernie Lee had this say:
“Ben has been cleared to progress to the next stage of his rehab and is progressing really well. And we remain very excited about his ability to return to form next year.”
NetsDaily reports that Nets GM Sean Marks recently spoke in support of Simmons’ good physical condition:
“I was down there [in Miami where Simmons works out] two weeks ago with him and the training staff and saw the progress. Happy to report he’s in great physical [and mental] shape. He’s rearing and champing at the bit to get there.”
There were times last season when Simmons hesitated on the court, but he showed glimpses of his former stardom. From November 15th to November 20th, he averaged 15.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals on 81% field goal percentage. Shortly after, a knee injury was reported to be bothering him. This injury coincided with his falloff in stats after his hot streak. Now that he is injury-free, he should be able to consistently handle the load of the high-level player he can be.
2. Simmons Has the Tools for Success
Ben Simmons’ physical attributes, proven level of play, and high-caliber teammates set him up for tremendous success.
He is 6’10”, has a wingspan of 7 feet, possesses good lateral quickness, and has a strong presence in the paint. Despite his inability to shoot three-pointers, he has excellent defensive, playmaking, and inside-scoring abilities. Here are some highlights of him flashing these skills during his hot streak last season.
Simmons is a three-time All-Star. For two years in a row (2019 & 2020), he made the NBA All-Defensive 1st Team, and he led the league in steals during the 2019-20 season. Additionally, he is currently the 7th-ranked active NBA player with the most triple-doubles with a total of 33. He has proven to have the ability of an elite player. Now, he just needs to actualize his potential. He can do so with the caliber of players by his side in Brooklyn.
Mikal Bridges and Nic Claxton are two of Brooklyn’s premier players who can complement Simmons well. Their elite defensive play allows Simmons to have less pressure and thrive on offense. Simmons will have more opportunities to push the ball in transition off turnovers, something he excels at. In addition, having a three-point shooter like Cam Johnson on the team spaces the floor for Simmons. In turn, he will be able to drive the ball more, using his inside-scoring strength to help the Nets’ offensive attack.
3. Simmons Has Greater Motivation
With all the criticism he has endured, Simmons will enter next season with a chip on his shoulder. Despite the pressure on him to perform, he recognizes his play could be better and wants to improve. He also knows that patience will play a large role in getting back. He articulated this in an interview with YES Network earlier this year. He stated that getting back to his former play would be a process that he needed to build up. He added, “It’s frustrating, but at the end of the day, I have a long way to go, and my focus is getting back to where I need to be.”
There is no doubt Simmons is motivated to get back to being the exceptional player he was. Although the process has been long, the summer is showing that he is closer than ever to returning.
