F*** yeah… I believe we can be the best team in the NBA” - Ben Simmons confident about Brooklyn Nets’ despite underwhelming start
Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons believes the team has what it takes to be the best in the NBA. The Nets have gotten off to a poor start to the new season. Their 116-125 loss to the rebuilding Indiana Pacers on Saturday (October 29th) saw their record slip to 1-5.
Brooklyn has glaring issues on the court, especially defensively. It may take a while for them to come around and produce wins at a high level. Speaking about the team's ability to bounce back, Simmons told reporters (via Michael Scotto):
"F**k yeah, I believe it. I believe we can be the best team in the NBA."
The Brooklyn Nets came into the season with great expectations. Many believed they could be in the finals too. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant stayed on the team after an uncertain offseason. Meanwhile, players like Ben Simmons and Joe Harris returned from injuries.
Ben Simmons was asked if the Nets believe in themselves. He replied, “For sure. F*** yeah. I believe it. I believe we can be the best team in the NBA. I believe that.” https://t.co/7PDGg0TrI2
The Nets also signed one of the best 3-and-D players in the league, Royce O'Neale. Brooklyn looks solid on paper, but they have failed to produce results thus far. They lack physicality and chemistry on defense. Meanwhile, their offense continues to rely on Durant and Irving for production.
Simmons has looked off-color since his Brooklyn Nets debut, contributing to the team's struggles. The 3x All-Star hasn't improved his game offensively. Through six games, Simmons is averaging 6.2. points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists per contest while shooting 44.1% from the field.
Brooklyn Nets defense crumbles again as coach Steve Nash labels performance against Pacers as a "disaster"
The Brooklyn Nets suffered a surprising home loss against the Indiana Pacers. It was a close contest until the fourth quarter when the Pacers turned the heat up and outscored the Nets 33-26. The Pacers held a two-point advantage entering the final period.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving emerged as key contributors on offense again. The former dropped 26 points, five rebounds, three steals and four blocks, while the latter had 35 points and six assists on 59.1% shooting. Joe Harris and Royce O'Neal were the only players apart from Durant and Irving with double-digit scores (11 points apiece).
The Brooklyn Nets looked disjoined on defense as the Pacers picked them apart, with rookie Bennedict Mathurin scoring a career-high 32 points off the bench and Tyrese Haliburton dropping 26 points.
Brooklyn coach Steve Nash didn't hold back when describing the team's performance, terming it a "disaster."
"That was a disaster. I didn't see the will, didn't see the desire," Nash told reporters after loss to the Pacers (via Brian Lewis).
Steve Nash: "That was a disaster. I didn't see the will, didn't see the desire." #Nets
Nash's comments were fitting, as the Nets looked lifeless. They are allowing 125.8 points per game across five losses. The Nets have the second-worst defensive rating (121.6) this season. They desperately need to regroup and resolve their issues soon to get a shot at qualifying as a top-six seed this season.