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NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons could not maintain again his pleasure as he ready to play in his first regular-season NBA recreation in virtually a yr and a half.
“Able to go,” Simmons mentioned after Wednesday’s shootaround, prematurely of the Nets’ season opener in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans. “Very excited. I am wanting ahead to getting on the market and taking part in. We obtained an amazing group of fellows right here and we’re able to roll.”
Simmons final performed in an NBA recreation in June 2021 when he was on the Philadelphia 76ers and so they misplaced to the Atlanta Hawks within the Japanese Convention semifinals. He requested a commerce later that summer time citing psychological well being considerations and was finally dealt to the Nets simply earlier than final February’s commerce deadline.
Simmons by no means made his Brooklyn debut due to lingering again points that will later end in offseason again surgical procedure. After a lot time away from the sport, Simmons seems to have a brand new lease on his basketball life.
“Slowly getting again to who I’m and who I am purported to be,” Simmons mentioned when requested what he is improved most from the beginning of coaching camp till now. “Nonetheless taking a number of time. I’ve solely performed 4 video games — however over time I will get there.”
Simmons appreciates the truth that his new teammates and coaches have repeatedly stood behind him publicly since his February arrival, and he has loved build up the camaraderie throughout the new group. As he begins his first season taking part in alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the remainder of his new teammates, he appears to be like ahead to being a drive for the brand new group.
“If I am not aggressive, this crew’s not going,” Simmons mentioned. “Like if I am not pushing the ball, if I am not discovering my guys then these simple pictures that we’re getting now aren’t gonna occur. So I obtained to be the motor.”
Simmons can be wanting ahead to the defensive tone he seems like he can set for the Nets all through the season.
“There’s not many guys who can do this,” Simmons mentioned of being a defensive trendsetter, “I take that chance on the subject of guard the very best gamers on the planet so it is a fairly good job.”
On the identical time, Simmons is assured that his new crew will be capable to develop collectively and can discover its rhythm all through the season — particularly on the defensive finish of the ground.
“I do not assume it is a matter of simply me individually,” Simmons mentioned. “I feel I positively wish to come out right here and set the tone. We discuss that loads as a crew, however I really feel like all people’s on the identical web page. So it does not actually matter whether or not it is me, Kev, Royce [O’Neale], or [Nic Claxton] — I feel all people has it in them and desires to do their job defensively.”
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