Ben Simmons' career revival in Brooklyn could be a great redemption story — if he makes it work | Opinion
Ben Simmons gets a second chance.
He was always going to get one, it was only a matter of which team would trade for him.
Because the Brooklyn Nets had their own issue to deal with in James Harden, the Sixers found a trade and Simmons landed in a palatable situation with the Nets.
And now, it’s up to Simmons to make the most of this chance. And it’s a good one, too, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The oddsmakers quickly made the Nets the favorites to win the Eastern Conference after the trade became official.
We love redemption stories. Well, Sixers fan may not like that redemption story. But that’s fandom.
Speaking of fans, I’ve seen plenty of discussion about Simmons’ mental health on social media, some claiming Simmons was faking it or using it as an excuse. Some of it was gross. Unless you are privy to conversations with Simmons or with Simmons and his therapist, you simply don’t know.
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Neither side — Simmons and the Sixers — handled the situation perfectly, and I wasn’t thrilled that a player’s mental health played out publicly. In the process, Simmons lost millions of dollars.
But enough of that.
We all know what the 6-foot-11 Simmons can do. He’s an elite defender (rebounds, gets steals) and playmaker who is gifted in the open court as a passer and finisher at the rim. There’s a reason he’s a three-time All-Star. In four seasons, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals and almost a block and shoots 56% from the field.
Last season when the Sixers finished with the best record in the East, they were among the best offensive and defensive teams with Simmons on the court. He made an impact.
It’s what he can’t do that became an issue: shoot 3s and make free throws before finally losing confidence in his ability to shoot at any distance in the Atlanta series.
Over the summer, video clips of Simmons shooting 3s appeared on social media. That’s all fine. But he needs to take those during games. He doesn’t need to be a 40% 3-point shooter. Draymond Green isn’t a great 3-point shooter but he makes just enough, along with his playmaking, to help Golden State’s offense.
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With Durant and part-time Irving, Simmons can find a lethal role with his playmaking, defense, and ostensibly, an improved jump shot.
But that’s on Simmons. He has to embrace this rather than run from it, and that will be answered over time.
The Nets still have an Irving issue. The unvaccinated Irving can’t play in home games at Barclays Center because of New York City’s vaccine mandate. Irving’s hope is that New York relaxes that mandate, and he can play in home games later this season. Who knows if that’s wishful thinking. Earlier this week, New York City mayor Eric Adams indicated no change in policy was imminent. By mid-April, that could change, and Irving could be available for games at Barclays.
But if he’s not, that is a playoff problem. One scenario: the Nets lose their first two games on the road and head home down 2-0 without Irving able to play. Another scenario: The Nets get Toronto in the first round, and Irving can’t play in Toronto because unvaccinated individuals are not allowed into the country, and he can’t play at home. Ouch.
But that’s not Simmons’ issue. Simmons needs to prove he can be a more complete player and help the Nets win a title.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.