[Lewis] Nets’ Ben Simmons: ‘I owe it to everbody’ to regain All-Star form


>“I’d say [the hardest part was] not be able to do your job to the fullest. I never have excuses, I never tried to say anything about different things going on. But I was dealing with an injury at the time, so I did what I could in the moment,” Simmons said. “And I owe it to everybody, the fans and everybody, to get back to where I need to be. That’s what I did this summer to get back.”

>“I think just playing with guys who are just easy to play with, that just have one goal and that’s to win. I don’t think guys have too many individual goals,” Simmons said. “I think the team is going to come first and I think the culture that Jacque Vaughn, [general manager] Sean Marks are building now has been incredible.”

39 comments
  1. Been saying all the right things. Now he’s just gotta do it on the court. I don’t need a reinvented game. I don’t need to see three pointers.

    Just get back to Philly Ben

  2. Damn, sounds like Simmons is really trying to make a comeback. Hopefully he can stay healthy this time around. Nets better watch out for him!

  3. Very unlikely imo.

    Obviously he’s got a mental block to beat but I don’t think he’s looked the same physically. The two work together, it’s tough to get back on track mentally when you can’t get into a rhythm. He was also in a great position surrounded by three point shooters (Covington 66% of his shots were 3s, Saric 45%, Redick 52%, Belinelli, Ilyasova and Bayless all at 50% or more, even Embiid took 20% of his shots from three last time Ben was an all-star). Simmons also had carte blanche to wreak havoc on d, harassing smaller ball handlers while going over every pick as he was backed by an elite rim protector.

    Every year it gets harder to be a useful offensive player if you can’t shoot, especially if you’re not a center. He’s never had the physicality or mentality to play the five on either side of the ball and with his physical maladies I don’t know if it’d be wise to even try to become a screen setter and rim protector. That probably wouldn’t make him an all-star anyway.

    The sixers had a great team makeup to emphasize his strengths and make up for his weaknesses. It’s only getting harder to play his role (non-shooting non-big) and he can’t play alongside Claxton who is better. I’d be mildly surprised if he becomes an above average starter and shocked if he gets back to the all-star game.

  4. I genuinely hope he’s got some fire back in his life and is ready to return. The league is better when he’s giving it his all.

  5. He’s totally serious this time. I’m sure once he actually has to start playing basketball, something will come up that prevents him from playing.

  6. I have been Ben Simmons biggest hater from the jump – that being said, it’s baffling that people looked at the way he moved the past year and thought the problems were only mental.

    Philly Simmons was graceful, limber, and in general was much more mobile around the court on offense and defense. He doesn’t even need a shot to be good or decent again, he just needs to get his mobility back so that he can shift defenders and take advantage of his physical gifts & touch around the rim. Players were sagging off well before and he was beating them off the dribble anyways due to that athletic talent. If he’s back to full mobility I can see a resurgence.

  7. Love the chaos that whole saga brewed but would still love for him to get back to form. I’m sure there was a lot of emotional hardship we weren’t privy to. And before someone says they’re millionaires who cares – stfu

  8. As a basketball fan i truly hope he regains form. As a sixers fan- that man better stay trash after everything he put us through.

  9. **IF** his mentality has changed. Sky is the limit for Ben.

    His biggest problem has always been himself.

  10. I genuinely would like to see Ben bounce back. Although I was hoping for him to get a reality check, I would be lying if I said I enjoy seeing where he is now

  11. Where was the attitude when he was in Philly?

    Saying all the right things means nothing if he doesn’t change

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