{"id":94302,"date":"2024-09-05T00:30:35","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T04:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=94302"},"modified":"2024-09-05T00:30:35","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T04:30:35","slug":"will-nets-move-former-no-1-pick-ben-simmons-to-bench","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/05\/will-nets-move-former-no-1-pick-ben-simmons-to-bench\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Nets Move Former No. 1 Pick Ben Simmons To Bench?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons<\/a> doesn\u2019t shoot a lick like The Hick from French Lick. However, like Larry Bird<\/a>, his bad back has undermined his talent. Now entering the final season of his contract, his passive play style is only overshadowed by an inability to stay on the court.<\/p>\n

Will Nets Move Former No. 1 Pick Ben Simmons To Bench?<\/h2>\n

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, few could\u2019ve predicted the peaks and valleys of Simmons\u2019s career. Nobody would\u2019ve guessed that he\u2019d be hobbled by injuries in what should\u2019ve been his physical prime. At just 28 years old, the Melbourne native has missed 189 games over the past three seasons.<\/p>\n

This makes Simmons, who has the highest assist average in Philadelphia 76ers history, far more expendable than he should be. While he may be skilled enough to stay to be in a rotation, he\u2019s not reliable enough. The old adage \u2018availability is the best ability\u2019 may not be entirely accurate. Nonetheless, there\u2019s a nugget of truth to that statement.<\/p>\n

If Simmons is in a rotation, he\u2019s supposed to be someone his team can count on. Yet, his injury history makes him more of someone they can count out. It\u2019s not like Simmons wants<\/em> to be hurt, but the fact remains that he\u2019s all but bound to be at some point.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead to 2024-25, the Nets will have a new head coach. Jacque Vaughn and Kevin Ollie are out. Jordi Fernandez is in. They\u2019ll also have a new face of the franchise \u2014likely Cam Thomas<\/a> \u2014after trading Mikal Bridges<\/a>. With these changes comes a lower level of expectation and thus pressure. Nonetheless, Brooklyn will be looking to get off to the right foot in their new era.<\/p>\n

Scheming around Simmons doesn\u2019t appear to be the best way to do that.<\/p>\n

The Point Guard Battle<\/h3>\n

Simmons and Thomas, projected to be a starter next season, actually complement each other. Simmons\u2019s strengths \u2014defense, passing, and basketball IQ \u2014are areas where Thomas needs to improve. Thomas\u2019s specialty \u2014scoring, in volume and with confidence\u2014 is Simmons\u2019s only real weakness, durability aside.<\/p>\n

While Simmons isn\u2019t a player Brooklyn can expect to be healthy throughout the season, there are reasons that they could start him. It doesn\u2019t hurt that he\u2019s also capable of playing in the frontcourt. In fact, at this stage of his career, he\u2019s more of a point-forward.<\/p>\n