Brooklyn Nets basketball is back with a new look for the team. Their preseason debut consisted of a very odd yet methodical lineup that could create some interesting strategy this season. While fans didn’t see a whole of this duo in action, the combination of Ben Simmons and Dennis Schröder is a playmaking duo that could shock the NBA.
Ben Simmons and Dennis Schroder Form an Improbable Playmaking Duo for the Brooklyn Nets
Preseason Debut
Simmons logged just 13 minutes in their first preseason game and finished with two points, three assists, and two rebounds. Schröder finished the game with ten points and five assists in 17 minutes of play. Despite the 115-106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the ball movement looked great for Brooklyn, as they finished with a total of 30 assists and took the lead after trailing 35-18 at the end of the first quarter.
Even though the two playmakers didn’t get much of an opportunity to display how they can work together, having these two high-IQ players can potentially shock the NBA.
What Simmons and Schröder Bring to the Table
Simmons only participated in 15 games last season for Brooklyn on 23.9 minutes a game, the lowest of his career. We have seen what Simmons is capable of, averaging 7.7 assists in four years with the Philadelphia 76ers, including averaging 8.2 assists per game as a rookie.
Despite Simmons’ inability to stretch the floor, he impacts the game in other ways. Aside from playmaking, Simmons is an elite defender, finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021. What makes his defense so impactful is his versatility and ability to guard positions one through five. Along with his defense, Simmons averages 14.4 points per game in his career. This shows how effective he can be at attacking the basket. Despite his struggles in Brooklyn, he shot 58.1% from the field this past season, which is the highest of his career. If he can continue his efficient shooting to complement his playmaking, on increased minutes, Simmons will make a huge impact in Brooklyn.
With Schröder playing next to Simmons, the duo can make for a backcourt masterclass. Having a traditional point guard like Schröder is always beneficial for a team. He averaged 14 points per game on 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc while dishing out 6.1 assists per game. While his assist numbers aren’t extraordinarily high, his assist-to-turnover ratio was 3.19 last season, the best in his career. Having these two efficient guards for the Nets will bring out the best in the other players.
Key Pieces on the Nets
Having two players who are great at creating for their teammates is going to open up the floor for Brooklyn’s shooters. While the Nets offense is going to focus around Cam Thomas, having Simmons and Schröder is going to give Thomas easy looks, which will open up his game. Jalen Wilson shot 55% from beyond the arc in the 2024 NBA Summer League, where he won MVP. Wilson is entering his second year, and with an increase in playing time, Wilson will have the opportunity to shoot a lot of catch-and-shoot three-pointers. Nets small forward Cam Johnson is another player teams don’t want to leave open from deep, as he shoots 39.2% from deep for his career.
Having a fast-paced, pass-first offense will be great for Nic Claxton, as he is an excellent lob threat and rim runner. While Claxton doesn’t pose a threat from outside the paint, he does a great job of running the pick and roll. Having a point guard like Schröder, who can shoot from beyond the arc, will open up a lot of easy looks for Claxton. Also, having a player like Simmons who can control the tempo of the game can help Claxton get buckets in transition.
While fans might not be optimistic about this upcoming season, the future is bright in Brooklyn with young players they have and are looking to acquire. Having these two veterans might be a key to unlocking future talent for Brooklyn. The Nets don’t have championship aspiration in the 2024-25 season, but there sure is a lot to be optimistic about in the borough.
