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Ben Simmons has struggled mightily for the Brooklyn Nets this season. Through seven games he has averaged just 5.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 43.2% shooting.
Simmons looked quite limited during Monday’s game between the Nets and the Dallas Mavericks. He was returning from a knee injury that kept him out for four games. Simmons finished with just two points, three rebounds and two assists on 1-for-3 (33.3%) shooting in 16 minutes as Brooklyn lost 96-94.
However, the Nets' superstar forward Kevin Durant still made it clear after the game that he remains optimistic regarding Simmons.
“I thought he moved well. I thought he got up and down the court. It’s been a week now, so it’s only gonna get better,” Durant said.
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Simmons, on the other hand, was not as positive when asked about his performance.
“I mean, I’m my harshest critic, so I think terrible,” Simmons said. “There’s a place I want to get to. I gotta keep working. I gotta keep pushing myself.”
The Australian was also asked if his recent left knee injury and bad lower back from last season have hindered his play this season. He confirmed that the injuries have had their impact, saying:
“I don’t want to make that an excuse, but I had a swollen knee. It is what it is, but it’s taken care of now, so I’m glad I’m moving well.”
Simmons also added that he will continue to work on his health.
“I think you know as an athlete your whole body you kind of have to manage, even with my back, something I continue to work on,” he said.
Brooklyn Nets interim head coach Jacque Vaughn also spoke about Simmons' return postgame. Vaughn highlighted the fact that the team tried to play to Simmons’ strengths by surrounding him with shooters.
“Yeah, great to see him on the floor,” Vaughn said.
“We put him out there with a group that could play fast, hopefully some shooters around them. That stretch we didn’t make a lot of shots. But overall, I thought seeing him back on the floor playing with speed ... was good.”
Following their 2-5 start that led to the firing of coach Steve Nash, the Brooklyn Nets are now 2-2 under Vaughn. Despite being just 4-7 on the season, they are still ninth in the Eastern Conference and in a play-in position.
If Simmons can get back to full speed, the Nets still have a decent shot to turn their season around.
For more on Ben Simmons’ return from injury, click here.
Some Nets players reportedly frustrated with Ben Simmons so far
Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets have largely remained positive with respect to Ben Simmons turning around his slow start to the season. However, Simmons' teammates are reportedly growing frustrated with him.
The report came from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. During an appearance on “NBA Today” on Friday, he reported that some Nets players, including Durant, are frustrated with Simmons' slow development:
"I think (Ben Simmons has) been a source of frustration for Kevin Durant, for others on the Nets so far because now he's unable to stay on the floor with a knee injury, but prior to that, he has shown that he is a long way away from being back to an impactful player."
Wojnarowski added that the Brooklyn Nets are built around Simmons’ defense and playmaking abilities, and that they need him to produce at a high level.
"I think it's a big part of the reason why the Nets are at the very bottom of the league defensively," Wojnarowski said.
"This team was built and reconstructed around the idea that Ben Simmons would have to play a really significant role for this team, especially on the defensive end, especially rebounding the basketball and certainly facilitating on offense."
Ian Begley also recently reported that the Brooklyn Nets may be open to trading Ben Simmons.
"Ben Simmons' name came up in the talks, sources say," Begley said.
It will be interesting to see how Simmons progresses moving forward. If he continues to struggle, Brooklyn may be forced to move him to convince Durant to stay in Brooklyn.
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