A best-case scenario for Ben Simmons‘ Nets debut would be within about two weeks, writes Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post. General manager Sean Marks said there’s “no real timetable” for Simmons, but indicated the team is hoping to get Simmons more fully involved in practices in about a week.
“Hopefully by the end of next week he’s getting more into the team environment,” Marks said during an appearance on YES Network. “And then we can really ramp up and start him getting into game shape.”
Sanchez suggests that Simmons could participate in a high-intensity workout for the first time next Saturday, noting that the Nets typically require players to go through three of those practices before they’re cleared to play. Sanchez speculates that the March 18 game vs. Portland or March 21 vs. Utah are possibilities for Simmons’ debut.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- The Nets will recoup an estimated $4.5MM in insurance money as a result of Joe Harris‘ season-ending injury, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link). While that insurance money will provide a little financial relief for an ownership group projected to spend over $260MM in team salary and tax payments, it won’t affect Brooklyn’s end-of-season tax bill, Marks notes (via Twitter).
- During his YES Network appearance on Thursday, Marks suggested that the Nets are still hoping for some news soon on when New York City might lift its private sector vaccine mandate that prevents Kyrie Irving from playing in home games. “We’re waiting like everybody else to see how these mandates change, how they tweak,” Marks said, per NetsDaily. “Again, over the next 24-48 hours, hopefully, there’s some news for us as to what they may look like. And Kyrie can get back out here. Nobody wants to be on the court more than Kyrie.” As The New York Times outlines, NYC mayor Eric Adams confirmed today that the public Key to NYC vaccine mandate will be lifted on Monday, but that won’t affect Irving’s status.
- A source tells Ian Begley of SNY.tv that the possibility of the Nets facing the Raptors in the postseason was one reason James Harden was concerned earlier this season about Irving’s vaccine status. Toronto is the only other NBA city where Irving is currently ineligible to play due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19.
This isn’t relevant to the Nets but I don’t see it said enough by basketball fans that Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently the best basketball player in the world & has been for a couple years now. And this is at a time where there’s more high level basketball players than ever before in the NBA & just overall
I agree Giannas is the best and the NBA on a talent level is extremely high right now.
You have arguably 3 top 15 guys in Bron Curry and KD. Outside of that CP3 is a top 5 PG of all time, Harden is a top 5 SG of all time, plus there’s Kyrie, Kawhi, Russ, AD and so on.
Then the next wave of talent is just emerging with Doncic, Trae, Tatum, Ja, etc etc
For Giannas, he’s in his prime and he’s already got a career better than Pau Gasol, AD, Elvin Hayes. He’s probably just ahead of Charles Barkley, and not far off Dirk and KG in terms of all time PFs. I think he can catch Malone the question will be can he catch Duncan. Don’t think he will ever be in the top 5 debate but I think could be a future top 10 player.
Really under appreciated in Milwaukee
I agree and love Giannis.
But all I can think of right now. Is the whole Bucks team watching KD destroy them. KD made them spectators. And would of sent them home if he just stepped back TWO inches. Nobody wanted a part of KD in last mins.
Dude really snuck Russ in there like no one would notice
Indeed, was just thinking about this (sorta) the other day
In 2019 when the Brow was winning the title and developing a respectable 3 pt shot it was looking like
1- Brow- Added 3, hit the block w/ more vengeance
1b- Gianis- Hadn’t won the big one/less of a J
2a- Joker
2b- Joel- Was always hurt
Those other 3 players got hungry and ALL a LOT better. They put in Major work.
Davis has worked on making his closet more fashionable and now it’s an insult to even mention him in the same sentence. That’s a big fall in such a short amount of time
Yes, AD has just been stricken with too many nagging injuries to even be considered one of the game’s best.
Plus, when he has played this year, much like his fellow teammate LeBron, they just haven’t really made an impact on their team nor their teammates. Neither player has lifted that Lakers squad up on their back and carried them to being a winning team.
Its been a huge letdown by both players, regardless what kind of empty stats they’ve put up.
If you aren’t lifting your teammates, and as a result lifting your team up and winning games, then you’re not having a big enough impact to be considered a top 5 NBA player..
AD has top 5 talent, but alot of times the best ability is availability..
Welcome to the NBA, Davis is still the same Davis that was always hurt on the pelicans and now doing it LA .He will win another championship in LA biggest problem is 12 out 15 players are 1st year players on this team and haven’t played much together no matter the reason
You trippin. He’s been hurt, that’s the only difference
Naw, those other 3 guys have more between the ears and a stronger heart to boot
They take what’s in front of them and drag defenders along the way
Anthony shy’s away at any sort of contact. He’s a distant 4th now, very very distant, I wish I could say different
The never-ending articles on the Nets – particularly Irving, Durant, and Simmons – are understandable. NYC is a major market and anything about their teams gets clicks from locals on the Internet, which translate to revenue.
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IMO the two (2) best players in the NBA today are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. Their prime shortcoming is that they don’t draw attention to themselves:
They don’t play for major market teams. They don’t complain or make belittling statements about their teammates, coaches and/or front office. They show up prepared to play every game. They make spectacular plays look easy as opposed to visa versa. They don’t talk about leading their team – they just do it. They seldom do dumb things on the court. They have extremely high basketball IQ’s. And worse of all – they’re happy to be making a fortune playing professional basketball in America and think this is a wonderful country to live in.
So it’s understandable that they have little appeal to the national sports media and many of the fans that follow sports via the media.
It’s good news for the rest of the league to fight for the championship so haters can stop crying about the Kings of the league lol
Giannis and the DEFENDING CHAMPION BUCKS don’t get talked about enough..That’s cool though, and I’m sure just fine by them.
They’ll fly all the way under the radar until they dive bomb one of the supposed “favorites” knocking them out in the playoffs..
I’ve never seen a defending championship team get such little respect, especially when they’re largely the same team, if not possibly even deeper than they were last year!!
It’s because they aren’t playing well dude. Not everything is a conspiracy. They have the 8th best record in the NBA.
Nor do they need to play well right now, they know how to win when it matters
Agreed. But that has nothing to do with my point.
then we well talk about them more “when it matters”.
Didn’t say anything was a conspiracy..lol I’m just saying they should at least be mentioned as one of the top teams in the East, and people just overlook them.
Their record is only one game worse than the Bulls, and the Bucks’ record has been leaps ajd bounds better since their tough start and since getting healthy..
I’m just saying with their experience, roughly the same core and cast of players, with their MVP having another great season, and add in the fact they’re the defending champions, they should be mentioned ALOT more frequently as a top team..
They just don’t get the press and same publicity as everyone else because it is Milwaukee, let’s call it what it really is..
And all this is coming from a BULLS FAN..I don’t even like the Bucks whatsoever..I might have a man crush on Crazy Eyes Bobby Portis, but that’s it. Not to mention, I certainly cannot stand Grayson “let me push you to the ground, while you’re in the air, because you’re guarding me too hard, and I’m having a tough game” Allen’s little punk self…
The Suns played them in The Finals last year. The Suns get a fraction of the pub the Lakers do as west coast teams. The average NBA fan can’t name 2 players on the Suns, but knows all about James, Davis and Westbrook from watching cable sports and reading national sports publications like this one.
It’s taking way way too llong for Simmons to get ready to play. What has he been doing all his free time???!
Chilling.
Yeah, THAT’S what Harden was worried about and why he orchestrated his way off the Nets. Sure.
It’s definitely not why but if you think about it, it is a key thing to factor in.
Would not be shocked if bs does not play all year
Ontario lifted its vaccine mandate March 1. Unless there’s something specific to the players, Irving should be fine in Toronto now. Or am I missing something?
Why didn’t he play March 1st in Toronto then?
There are still federal restrictions that apply to unvaccinated non-Canadian citizens at the border that would prevent Irving from playing in Toronto.