How Ben Simmons Changes Things
Defensively, Ben Simmons is one of the best players in the entire league and unlike the 76ers, the Nets are going to put the 25-year-old 7-footer in situations for him to succeed. In Philadelphia, Doc Rivers and the Sixers tried to mold Simmons into what they wanted him to be instead of just embracing who he is.
We have yet to see Ben Simmons on the floor in a Nets’ uniform, but he is going to have a lot more freedom on the floor next to Durant and Irving, plus he can be a facilitator and rebounding machine for Brooklyn.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Grading The Nets-76ers Trade Involving Harden, Simmons
This trade really does have a chance to save the Nets’ season because of the fact that Ben Simmons is such a versatile player. Maybe he will never learn to score outside of the paint or outside of a layup attempt, but he will not have to in Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Kyrie Irving is one of the greatest scoring guards in the league and both Patty Mills and Seth Curry are 40-plus percent three-point shooting threats.
In the Eastern Conference this season, one of the surprise teams has been the Cleveland Cavaliers. Having three 7-footers in their starting lineup in Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen and rookie Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers have been able to create a lot of problems for their opponents because of their ability to rebound and attack the paint.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Grading The Nets-76ers Trade Involving Harden, Simmons
Steve Nash and the Nets could really look to take a page out of Cleveland’s book and utilize Ben Simmons as a “point-forward” next to Andre Drummond, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Durant and others in the Nets’ main rotation.
