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Showing posts with label Ben Simmons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Simmons. Show all posts

Nets have a buying or selling conundrum ahead of the deadline



 The Brooklyn Nets currently sit at a record of 9-8 and in tenth place in a crowded Eastern Conference. The team is exceeding expectations and will be getting leading scorer Cam Thomas back in the lineup on Thursday night after he missed the last nine games because he suffered an ankle injury. 

The Nets are not quite ready to compete with the heavyweights in Boston, Milwaukee or Philadelphia, but find themselves in a mix with about a half dozen other teams looking to make the next jump in the conference. 

So as Sean Marks looks to maintain roster flexibility with one eye on building a contender and the other on stockpiling young assets, he's faced with a bit of a crossroads for this Brooklyn squad.

The Nets have four key players who will become free agents after this season including: Nic Claxton, Royce O'Neale, Lonnie Walker IV, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Smith Jr. and Harry Giles. Marks has bird rights for Dinwiddie, Claxton and O'Neale and each can play a critical role for a true contender this year. The return for any of those respective players would also be significant with first round picks not being out of the question.

Even Dorian Finney-Smith, with years remaining on his contract has been rumored to be a player multiple teams are interested in for a first round pick.  

Marks will need to evaluate which of those names are candidates to remain with the core of the team as they develop the young player and build a contender for the future. Since Marks doesn't want players to walk after the year without receiving anything in return, he'll need to walk the GM tightrope. 

Could the Nets get a top 5 seed in the East and pull an upset against Cleveland, New York, Indiana, Orlando or even Miami? 

It's absolutely possible, but how much would the prospect of a potential first round playoff upset and likely second round exit change the calculus for Marks to hold on to multiple pending unrestricted free agents? 

On the flipside, should the Nets go big game hunting at the deadline or in the offseason?

 Brooklyn is only 17 games into the season, but as it draws near the midway point of the year, fans and the front office will have a better indication of where this team is headed, what pieces to keep, what pieces to send out and what additional talent they can bring on the roster to get the Nets back into contending status. 

Key player on Nets injury report won't be back anytime soon

 


A look up and down the Nets injury report and you'd strain your neck and eyes trying to read all the names.

From Cam Thomas' sprained ankle to Ben Simmons's nerve impingement in his lower back, Brooklyn has been banged up this early season. t

While it looks like the teams leading scorer will be back sooner than later, the team's  leading assist man won't be back as fast.

Thomas has resumed basketball activities and isn't scheduled for any further MRIs or imaging on his injured ankle.

Simmons, however, will still need to rehab his injured back, and is not cleared to practice.

Given Simmons injury history and specifically his surgically repaired back, the Nets could be without their starting point guard for the foreseeable future.

Nets star has jersey retired at storied college basketball program

 


Mikal Bridges may be Brooklyn's very own, but his heart will always be in Philly. The former Villanova Wildcat and Philadelphia native had his jersey retired at the Pavilion on Friday night.

Bridges is approaching the prime years of his NBA career, but he was honored as one of the all-time greats under a legendary coach in Jay Wright.

Bridges won the National Championship as a freshman in 2016 (program's first since 1985) and again as a junior in 2018.

Coincidentally, Brooklyn will take on Philadelphia on Sunday night at Barclays Center.

Come Sunday, Bridges will surely cast aside his Philadelphia loyalty and try to deal the Nets Atlantic Division foe only it's fourth loss of the season after a scorching hot 9-3 start. 

Nets can't hold their breath hoping Ben Simmons returns healthy




When healthy, Ben Simmons is a difference-maker. A 6-foot-10 point guard who can race out on fastbreaks and find teammates for open shots. He's a lockdown defender and while his offensive game leaves a lot to be desired, he's an impactful starter when he can stay on the court. 

The only problem is, when the Nets traded James Harden to Philadelphia for a package revolving around Simmons, they didn't get the All-Star level point guard, but a physically compromised and mentally taxed version of him.  

Simmons never saw meaningful minutes when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were on the team  and Sean Mark's vision of forming a new big three after the departure of Harden went by the wayside. 

Simmons underwent back surgery in the 2022 offseason and returned for the 2022-23 season, still looking sluggish and not fully healthy. The Nets shut him down 42 games into the last campaign and were hopeful that the 2023-24 campaign would mark a breakout season for the former All-Star. 

Things looked promising early, but once again an injury has Simmons sidelined and set to be revaluated in two weeks after a nerve issue cropped up in his back. 

Nets fans have been on this rollercoaster journey with Simmons and the Nets medical staff before. For Brooklyn, anything Simmons adds this year will be a bonus, but the organization cannot put its trust and faith fully in the idea of him returning to full health this season, if not ever. 

Marks needs to look to the free agent market to look for backup point guards and utlize the veteran savvy of floor general Spencer Dinwiddie to  lead the way. Led by emerging star Cam Thomas, borderline All-Star Mikal Bridges and a team that runs nine deep including a supporting cast of Lonnie Walker, Dennis Smith Jr,, Dorrian Finney-Smith and others, Brooklyn is in a good position.

If Simmons is able to get back on to the court and make the impact he did early this season pushing the pace in the open floor, then great, but Nets fans shouldn't be holding their breath. 

Philly traded Brooklyn damaged goods in Ben Simmons

 


When people debate who won the trade between Philadelphia and Brooklyn centered on Ben Simmons and James Harden, the answer is quite simple: they both lost. 

Harden failed to deliver a championship to the City of Brotherly Love and is 0-5 with his new team, the Clippers, while Simmons can't manage to stay healthy with the Nets.

Simmons has underwent multiple back procedures and now will be sidelined at least another week with a nerve issue.

Harden battled nagging hamstring injuries with the Nets and Sixers, but his lack of work ethic and penchant for growing disgruntled if he doesn't get his way is a tired act.

The Nets are now stuck with Simmons for two more seasons. Until he gets on the court again, he has virtually no trade value and his market is as narrower than a runway model, as he's due nearly $38M this year and over $40M next year.

Brooklyn is stuck between a rock and a hard place and seem to be in a holding pattern season after season waiting for Simmons to get healthy.

It's the same old story that is all also a tired act and a gift from Daryl Morey that keeps on giving the front office, coaches and fans headaches time and time again.

Ben Simmons injury might be worse than are Nets letting on

 


Ben Simmons has spent more time on the injury report than 90 percent of NBA players the last few seasons.

Returning from back surgery last season, Simmons played in 42 games before Brooklyn shut him down for the season with a nerve issue.

Simmons returned this year after a another procedure, supposedly healthy, and with offseason workout videos being met with elation and optimism from Nets fans.

Just six games into the 2023+24 campaign, Simmons looked improved physically but still not his former All-Star self. Now, the Nets have shut him down and he will miss his fourth consecutive game.





The Nets are notoriously guarded with injury news and are classifying Simmons' most recent ailment as a hip contusion. Nets World holds its collective breath as the prospect of him missing significant time is not off the table. 

Nets latest playoff odds revealed

 


The Brooklyn Nets currently sit at a record of 5-5 after navigating an extremely challenging early season schedule featuring the likes of Boston, Milwaukee, Miami and Dallas.

According to, Basketball-Reference.com, the Nets have a 63.6 % chance of making the playoffs this season.

Before the season started, most Nets fans wanted to see the emergence of Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton and continued ascension of Mikal Bridges into stardom along with a top 6 spot in a crowded East.

That could be exactly where things are headed as the Nets survived a woeful shooting performance against the lowly Wizards on Sunday.

Brooklyn takes on a resurgent Magic team at Barclays Center on Tuesday in NBA's farce of a In-Season Tournament.

Mikal Bridges hits career low in this statistical category


Mikal Bridges is the NBA's Iron Man. With 401 consecutive games played and a summer full of FIBA competition in the Philippines, Brooklyn's small forward doesn't have the words "load management" in his vocabulary. 

 Bridges has shot a dismal 29.3 percent from long range. Whether this is a mini slump, a cumulative effect from not missing any time during the season or this summer or a combination of both, it's something Nets fans will keep an eye on. 

 It's only nine games into the season, but without Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons in the lineup on Friday against the defending Eastern Conference Champion Celtics, Bridges produced just 12 points on 4 of 11 from the field and 1 for 6 from 3-point range. 

 It's such a small sample size to draw any definitive conclusions but if the Nets hope you tread water without three starters, Bridges will need to play like the star he showed he can be in the second half of the 2022-23 season when he was the return package for Kevin Durant.

Player Nets need to trade before deadline isn't the one you think


 The Brooklyn Nets are one of the surprise stories in the NBA this season, sitting at a very respectable 4-4 record heading into Friday night's matchup against the Boston Celtics. 

Led by a sensational 22-year old in Cam Thomas, who will be sidelined at least two weeks with an ankle sprain, and supported by veterans Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie and Ben Simmons.


Brooklyn might be some subtle roster maneuvering away from making serious noise in the East. 

So, as Sean Marks looks to maintain cap flexibility, he'll have big decisions about the future free agent status of Nic Claxton heading into this upcoming summer and Simmons the summer to follow.

While most are rumoring that Simmons will be on the move ahead of February's trade deadline, it's actually Claxton who makes the most sense to ship out.

The Nets center has missed more games than he's played in during his young career and it's problematic from a spacing and free throw efficiency standpoint for him to play alongside Simmons for extended minutes, particularly in clutch time.

Claxton could be a huge add for a center-needy contending team and could bring in a combination of significant draft capital and perhaps a quality big man in return. 

Brooklyn has an embarrassment of riches at the wing position and Marks could get very creative pairing Claxton with Royce O'Neale to bring in valuable draft and front court pieces 

Simmons' late game blunder nearly costs Nets a win in Chicago

 



The Brooklyn Nets have won three in a row after a thrilling 109-107 victory in Chicago.

Dorian Finney-Smith dropped 21, Mikal Bridges 20 and Cam Thomas 17 as Brooklyn withstood a late charge by the Bulls and climbed aver the .500 mark on the season at 3-2.

Meanwhile, Ben Simmons had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, while going 4 for 8 from the field. 

The highly scrutinized point center has been contributing in the intangible department and  looks healthier than he ever has been in a Nets uniform. However, the Nets 6-foot-10 playmaker is not attacking the paint and rim with regularity.


Simmons made a baffling move in the closing seconds of the game on Friday night, not on offense, but on the defensive side of the ball.

 As Zach Levine his second free three attempt, Simmons inexplicably batted the ball out beyond the 3-point line instead of grabbing the board and gave Levine an open look for a potential game winner.

Luckily for Simmons and the Nets, Levine's shot clanked off the iron and out, but it was too close for comfort.

Simmons has been a bit of a liability in late game situations due to his poor free throw shooting, questionable decision making and costly turnovers. Brooklyn is hoping Simmons continues to gain confidence as the Nets are one of the surprise stories in the NBA so far this season.

Kyrie's Hollywood story with Nets became a nightmare on Atlantic Avenue

 


Kyrie Irving was the driving force that brought Kevin Durant to Brooklyn. A Jersey kid that grew up in West Orange and sat in the upper deck of the Meadowlands, formerly known as Continental Airlines Arena. Irving idolized Jason Kidd and vowed to get the Nets to the finals just like the captain did, except he promised that he'd win that elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy.


After nearly four years of drama, disappointment and injuries, Irving came and went without delivering on his promise. 

In fact, Irving demanded a trade at least year's deadline. Apparently, Irving was unhappy with his ongoing negotiations for a long-term contract extension. 

Alas, the Nets and Irving broke their partnership and went their separate ways. Kevin Durant followed in suit and here is Brooklyn without the star power of years past, but with a happy, relatively healthy and younger locker room.

Now, on the eve Irving's first game against his former club, Nets fans are rooting for the hometown kid to come up as short as he did in big moments time and time again in Brooklyn both on and off the court.

Cam Thomas drops 36, Simmons just 4 in Nets' tough opening loss

 


Ben Simmons looked primed for an All-Star campaign in the preseason, then the regular season hit. Simmons tallied four points, nine assists and ten rebounds in 23 minutes. 

Cam Thomas poured in 36 points in 25 minutes but missed the potential game winner as Brooklyn squandered a six point lead with 90 seconds left. 

The Nets looked out of sorts offensively and lacsadaisical defensively in the first quarter as they surrendered 37 points in the opening period to the Cavaliers.


Mikal Bridges added 20, but was not the focal point of Brooklyn's offense. 

Simmons only attempted six shots and converted two, looking reluctant to even look at the basket. The Nets committed 17 turnovers as the sloppy play from the preseason carried over to the opener. 

Jacque Vaughn told reporters following the game that the goal as far as minutes distribution is to get each rotation guy 30 minutes per game. 

As Vaughn tinkers with lineups, it's undeniable the Nets have a flawed offensive roster and when they come out without a willingness to defend like they did at the beginning of this game, they don't stand much of a chance. 

Brooklyn will play in Dallas on Friday against friend turned foe Kyrie Irving. 



Nets longshot championship odds revealed

 


It should come as a surprise to no one that the Brooklyn Nets are not the betting favorite to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season.

But just how unlikely is it the Nets will be the last team standing?

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, a $100 bet would net a winner a whopping $13,000!



While there are exactly nine teams with worse odds and three other teams with identical odds, it basically puts Brooklyn in the bottom third of the league. 

Sean Marks and the Nets would be the first to admit they're not in ring chasing mode.

 Instead, they're trying to find untapped potential in Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, getting Ben Simmons back to his All-Star self, keep Mikal Bridges on his path to a first All-Star nomination and let veterans Spencer Dinwiddie and Cam Johnson serve as unspoken leaders for the squad. 

While only one team will be truly content at the close of the upcoming season, the Nets have many team and individual goals that could be building blocks toward being in the championship conversation in the seasons ahead. 

Ex-Net standout offers high praise for Ben Simmons

 Kevin Garnett spent parts of two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets and in his short time he left a mark on the franchise.




So, when Garnett speaks, the basketball world listens.

Nets point guard Ben Simmons has been a polarizing figure in the NBA. 

From his unceremonious exit from Philadelphia to his largely injury riddled tenure in Brooklyn, Simmons has caught the brunt of criticism from detractors.

Now appearing to finally be fully healthy and confident, Simmons may be primed for a breakout year according to Garnett. 

Vince Carter's No. 15 not yet retired by Nets, joins YES broadcast booth

Half man, half amazing may have hung up his basketball shoes but he's going to be a big part of the Nets family moving forward. Carter played five of his illustrious 24 seasons with the New Jersey Nets, forming an original big three alongside Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd. Carter will be eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024 and his longevity along with his theatrical dunks and scoring prowess will almost assuredly land him in the hall in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Somehow, the Nets have yet to retire VC's No. 15. The Nets have often been late to the party honoring alumni, but with more former Nets coming into the fold in the broadcast realm, hopefully things are slowly improving. 

Carter will join Jefferson and Devin Harris as former Nets working for the YES Network. The Nets legend turned analyst will be sure to delight fans as a blast from the Jersey past brings his talents to the broadcast booth in Brooklyn.

Ben Simmons shows off $13M Brooklyn home to Esquire Australia

 


Ben Simmons is due to make $35.45 million in 2023 and the Brooklyn Nets point guard is making sure he lives large in the borough. 

In an exclusive interview with Esquire Australia, Simmons gave a sneak peak into his life off the court.

Simmons calls home to the sprawling appartment within the Olympia building, situated in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood. 

With a personal stylist, chef and luxury watch collection that would make even the most carefree person jealous, Simmons is soaking up the New York City lifestyle.


While, it's fun to see Simmons in his element and appearing to be settled into the borough of Brooklyn, many Nets fans think their point guard has quite a bit to prove this season.

Hampered by injuries the past two seasons, Simmons has been a shell of his former self and the butt of many jokes on social media for his inflated salary and inability to stay healthy.

All indications are that Simmons is, at least in part, back to his former All-Star form. 

Clearly, the Nets are committed to Simmons for at least the next two seasons and with a mass Exodus of superstars including James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving the last few years, the fan base is hopeful that Simmons along with Mikal Bridges can ascend and bring star power back to Brooklyn.


Nets in for rude awakening with brutal early schedule

 


The Brooklyn Nets will have a hell of a time navigating a brutal first nine games of the regular season.

Despite Ben Simmons showing signs of his former All-Star form, Cam Thomas seeing his minutes expand under Jacque Vaughn and Nic Claxton continuing to develop into an All-NBA defender, the road ahead isn't exactly pretty.

The Nets open the season with tough opponents including: Cleveland, at Dallas, at Charlotte, at Miami, at Chicago, Boston, Milwaukee, Los Angeles Clippers and at Boston.

If there was ever a more daunting first nine games, I haven't seen it. Brooklyn will likely only be favored against Hornets. 

The Nets shouldn't be a bottom barrel team in the NBA this season with an ascending Mikal Bridges chasing his first All-Star bid, but the caliber of their opponents is undeniable.

Brooklyn's defense looked lackluster for the majority of its first four preseason games, Simmons committed 18 costly turnovers and Vaughn has yet to establish a go-to rotation or offensive system that can generate points for a roster that lacks consistent shot creators and makers.

It might be an steep uphill climb out of the gate, but it Nets can weather an early storm, they may stay relevant in the playoff picture.

This Ben Simmons stat is alarming to Nets fans

 


For all of the flowers Ben Simmons has received for his newfound confidence and explosiveness, there's one department where Nets fans aren't exactly thrilled with their point guard. 

Turnovers have been an issue for Simmons in the preseason. While he dished out 28 assists in parts of four games, he also committed a whopping 15 turnovers, including eight against his old club, Philadelphia. 

Simmons has regained a great deal of his "attack dog" mentality, but there have been more than a few occasions where he's committed careless mistakes. 

Part of the learning curve is acclimating with many new teammates, but Simmons and center Nic Claxton have a net negative -17 when on the court together. 

While physically and mentally Simmons is looking closer to his pre-injury All-Star form than ever, he'll need to familiarize himself with the Nets system and his supporting cast to play a much more efficient and mistake free style of ball in the regular season.

Ben Simmons fails to score from field in Nets win over Heat



Ben Simmons has looked much improved this preseason but that wasn't the case on Wednesday night in Miami.

The Nets point guard went 0 for 4 from the field with just two points and four turnovers but added seven assists and eight rebounds. 

It was Simmons' second game in two nights, as he showed a reluctance to attack the basket with the same fervor and force he showed during the first three preseason games.

 
Brooklyn had five players reach double figures in scoring, including Lonnie Walker IV, who poured in a team high 22.

The Nets prevailed 107-104 in their final tune-up before the regular season opener as they host the Cavaliers next Wednesday, October 25.

Mikal Bridges appears in exclusive interview on TBS' "The Reel"

 



Mikal Bridges appeared the new TBS show, "The Reel with Kenny Beecham". The show made its debut on Monday, October 17th at midnight EST.

The episode explored Bridges interests beyond basketball as well as his basketball journey throughout the ranks to reach NBA stardom.

The interview is sure to delight Nets fans as Brooklyn's good guy is admired by fans and teammates alike. 

Stay tuned to TBS.com or other platforms to rewatch the interview as it becomes available. 

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