Cameron Johnson is optimistic that Ben Simmons will look more like the player he used to be when the Nets open training camp in two months, writes Ethan Sears of The New York Post. Johnson said he was encouraged after talking to Simmons, who is working out this summer in Miami.
“He sounds good,” Johnson said. “He’s in a good place. He says it’s progressing and he’s excited for the season. Looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table this year. I expect him to be, if not full form, pretty close to it.”
Simmons only played 42 games in his first full season with Brooklyn and wasn’t on the court at all after February 15. When he did play, Simmons was dealing with back and knee issues that limited his effectiveness, as the three-time All-Star averaged just 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He also appeared reluctant to shoot, Sears observes, with the confidence problems that plagued him in Philadelphia continuing to affect his game.
Simmons was the centerpiece of the return Brooklyn got when it traded James Harden to the Sixers in February of 2022. Injuries kept him from playing for the remainder of that season, and he hasn’t really been effective since 2020/21.
Sears points out that Simmons is the only current Net ever to appear in the All-Star Game, and at age 27 he has the potential to become a veteran leader for an otherwise young team. He’s under contract for $37.9MM this season and $40.3MM in 2024/25, so it’s vital for Brooklyn that his production begins to approach his salary.
“He’s very important to us,” Johnson said. “There’s things that he does on the court that not many players in the NBA can do. And he adds something that is very valuable to myself, Spencer (Dinwiddie), Mikal (Bridges) and being able to set us up and get us shots and play in flow like that. With him on the court, it’ll make us a better team.”
When Simmons reports for training camp, he’ll have to get used to a new group of teammates. Sears notes that he only played three games after Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were traded in February. The Nets are now built around Johnson and Bridges, who were acquired from Phoenix in the Durant deal, along with Dinwiddie and fifth-year center Nic Claxton.
Simmons has the talent to bring that group together, but only if he can overcome the physical and psychological issues that have derailed his career.
“We’ll have to learn how to play in a manner that suits him on the court,” Johnson said. “He allows for me, Mikal, Spence to run around and find opportunities. Always head up, always looking. We’ll have to fully develop how that scheme will look. “Defensively, we’ll have a unique advantage of having Ben and (Claxton), who can guard everybody on the court. Definitely a lot of positives there.”
I guess if “full form” is the same old injury-prone underperforming Ben.
Ben doesn’t give AF. It is what it is.
Who wants to tell him.
Ben Simmons used to play basketball?? I thought dude was a bench coach this whole time…
Hm
Let’s Go Ben! Time to effin make the haters shut up! Shut down their favorite stars!
40M for a worse version of PJ Tucker.
Ya know anybody could tell you I’m no fan of Ben Simmons, he’s one of the most overrated players in NBA history, he should of never won any of his 6 R.O.Y. trophies (especially his first, shoulda been Spida) but he’s still much better than PJ Tucker could ever dream of being.
Mitchell was the rookie of the year that season.
Found Ben’s burner account!!
“If he can overcome the physical and psychological issues that have derailed his career…”
You make it sound so simple. Heart and backbone shouldn’t be too hard to find, and from there it’s just a hop, skip, and jump back into being an nba starter.
He can be a beast from the neck down. Getting the most from the brain matter above that may require the team and coaches to take some psych classes at Princeton.
He’s like the characters in Wizard of Oz. He can be a good player if he finds a brain, a heart, and some courage.
It all depends on which version Nets get. Imo he should have never been a PG. He’s not Magic, no one is ……
He is best at at PF or SF. He can Literally play either. And could be interchangeable. He also would be one of best playmakers at those positions. Cause of his passing skills.
Caxton, Ben, Cam, Bridges, Dinwiddie is an athletic team. When the chemistry develops. This can be a very good team.
He can’t be best at any position that starts with the word “shooting”. Everyone is trying to turn him into a PF, but he was AS, All-Defensive and All-NBA playing as a PG. If he is really fit and focused, just surround him with good shooters (say Bridges, O’Neal and Cam Johnson) and let him run the show.
He can’t run anything. Maybe you don’t get it. So I’ll say it again. He should have never been a PG ……….
Good vision and good passer doesn’t make you a PG. And he doesn’t have to shoot to score. His career FG% is .56%. With a real PG he can avg 20 a gm.
He averaged 16 a game being the PG. Maybe you don’t get it, so I’ll say it again: he was 3x AS, 2x All-Defensive and All-NBA Third team while playing the point. I know a couple of PGs less successful than that. And Philadelphia was at least as competitive with Ben Simmons as with James Harden. Were it not for that Kawhi buzzer beater, they could very well have gotten a ring. With Ben Simmons as their PG.
Look up what a PG is. It has nothing to do with playing D. Learn the the game. You’re boring lol. Managing a game. Running an offense are two most important things about a PG. Both of which he can’t do. Do you understand why CP3 is considered one of best ever. Not cause he won.
Yeah and if Kawhi never got hurt. Clippers might have won one. If Philly kept Jimmy they might have one already. If you knew ball you might actually have an argument…..
Looks like the Nets have chosen Cameron Johnson as a pitchman/public relations guy.
For some reason, “Ben Simmons” and “veteran leader” just don’t seem to match in my mind.
I’m the last remaining Ben believer/supporter left in Philly (or maybe anywhere based on the above responses). If Ben is back on form, he brings the most versatile defensive presence in the game. While he can’t guard 5’s or small quick pg’s on every play, he can switch there and be serviceable. Not many guys can do that. His passing among the best at assisting 3’s. He may not shoot them, but he has a knack for making sure the team scores them. I wouldn’t want to face this team with a healthy/focused Ben. Hoping he revives his career, but hoping he is trash against us lol
That’s a MASSIVE if
His 3pt shot never left full form. He’s still not making any.
True but he is pretty good at creating them.
Cam would sound less dumb if he was talking about how the earth is flat.