Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons initially had a “terrible” relationship with head coach Jacque Vaughn.

Simmons dealt with injuries last season and was never on the same page as Vaughn.

“It was tough,” Simmons told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “I was also injured, so I was also dealing with my own stuff and he was in a position where it’s a lot of pressure to come in and be the head coach. You still got expectations to help his team win. So, then there was just a lot of uncertainty.”

After last season, Vaughn made it a priority to connect with Simmons. Vaughn and Simmons were able to bond over the course of this past offseason.

Vaughn went to Miami three times to watch Simmons work out.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Jacque Vaughn, Brooklyn Nets Updates

“I thought it was important for me to reestablish our relationship from the way it was introduced,” Vaughn said. “It was during a pretty tumultuous season with expectation, trauma and chaos, and we both were involved in it. And for me to hopefully let him know that [there were] no hard feelings my way. I was trying to set a standard for the program and that’s my responsibility as a coach and to let him know what my expectations were for him going forward and that I am pulling for him at the same time.”

Simmons is averaging 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists for the Nets this season. The former Philadelphia 76ers star is shooting 52.8% from the field in six games.

“Once he saw me in Miami and where I was able to get back to, he was happy,” Simmons said. “That’s where our relationship started to grow. He had trust in me. He came down and saw the work.”

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Jacque Vaughn, Brooklyn Nets Updates

Simmons is making $37.9 million this season. He signed a massive five-year, $177 million contract with the Sixers in July 2019.

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