During an interview with NBA reporter Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons said he’s feeling healthy and ready to “dominate” next season. Simmons only appeared in 42 games last season due to knee and back issues. He averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
“For me to come back and dominate people will be great,” Simmons said. “I don’t intend to come back the same player I was last [season], because that’s not even close to where I am. I get excited because I’m like, ‘Damn, I would [expletive] on the player I was last year.’ But I know where I was at last year, so it’s easy to say that. But it’s just fun to go and do the thing that you love when you’re out there. That’s really it for me. I don’t really ask for too much.”
The Nets acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster James Harden trade during the 2021-22 season. Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a holdout and back injury. He was projected to be one of the faces of the NBA just a few years ago after winning the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year Award and making three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team and two All-Defensive teams with the Sixers.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
However, Simmons never developed a jumper and he’s now considered one of the most overrated players in the NBA. In 317 games with the Sixers and Nets, Simmons has made only five 3-pointers. The LSU product signed a massive five-year, $177.2 million maximum rookie contract extension with Philadelphia in 2019. Simmons, 27, will make $37.9 million next season.
“I’m excited because I know I can do it,” Simmons said. “So, that’s the exciting part for me. [Last Thursday] night, I’m like, ‘Yo, let’s get back in the gym.’ I’m excited. I get to do something I love to do at a high level. Regardless of what people say, I’m a three-time All-Star, All-NBA player, [All-] Defensive Team. I’ve done things. I’m not somebody that hasn’t done anything.
The first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has career averages of 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. It will be fascinating to see how he plays next season for the Nets.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
“Sometimes I think about [my recent struggles]. I’m like, ‘Damn, that’s a lot.’ Sometimes I sit down and break it down. ‘That was exhausting that I was having to deal with all that.’ But I feel like there are different situations you can handle, and this is a good test for me,” Simmons said. “How much worse can it get?”
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