“Fouling out is not an option. Playing aggressive is something we want him to do, but we also want to play smart”- Kyrie Irving sends a message to Ben Simmons after he fouls out in 23 minutes in official debut
Ben Simmons made a very disappointing official debut for the Brooklyn Nets during their season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Simmons fouled out with just four points, five rebounds, and five assists in 23 minutes of play. He also took a total of just three field goal attempts despite being left open on the perimeter for the majority of the game.
The team were blown out at home by the up-and-coming Pelicans with a final score of 130-108. However, this didn’t stop Nets players and coaches from showing their support for Simmons during postgame interviews.
Following the loss, Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving spoke about Ben Simmons' value to the team. He then added that the Nets need Simmons to play aggressively but also smartly.
“He’s just gotta get reps and minutes. I think it’s as simple as that. As we told him in the locker room, he's a valuable piece for us and we need him out there. And fouling out is not an option. Playing aggressive is something that we want him to do, but we also want to play smart,” Irving said.
Kyrie Irving on Ben Simmons fouling out: "As we told him in the locker room, he's a valuable piece for us and we need him out there. And fouling out is not an option. Playing aggressive is something that we want him to do, but we also want to play smart." #Nets #NBA
Fellow Nets star Kevin Durant also spoke about how Simmons needs to bounce back.
“We all don’t have great games, it’s just the nature of our job. It’s all about bouncing back and showing up to work tomorrow and figuring it out,” Durant said.
Finally, Nets coach Steve Nash spoke about how he expects Simmons to take some time to get in a rhythm.
“I just think he’s rusty. The guy hasn’t played for over a year — still getting used to referees, defense, offense. This is a process,” Nash said.
Nash then added that he has already seen glimpses of Simmons’ potential. He also noted that he’s fine with Simmons making some mistakes as he develops his confidence.
“You guys have heard me say it, but he’s shown obviously glimpses of the player we know he is and can be but it’s not easy. We’re here to support him, we’re here to push him, coach him up, and try to get him to a place where he can play at the level he’s played in the past. ...
"As long as he continues to build his confidence, play hard, and play with force, we’re fine with him making mistakes as he grows into this,” Nash said.
As for Ben Simmons himself, he highlighted the fact that he was a little too eager to return to the court.
“I’ve got to tone it down, I feel like I’m being a little too physical, maybe I’m just excited, my first game. I’m trying to set a tone within our team and be that physical guy.
“I understand and accept that responsibility for this team. It’s not going to happen overnight but gradually building towards that. I was just too excited but it was just great to be out there. It was good to get that one out of the way,” Simmons said.
The Nets' next game will be on Friday at home against the Toronto Raptors.
The Brooklyn Nets need an All-Defense campaign from Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons may never be a high-scorer for the Brooklyn Nets and that’s fine as the team has a ton of offensive firepower.
But one thing is for certain and that is that the Nets are going to need Simmons to play at an elite level defensively. This is because the Nets' roster is extremely small. In fact, they do not have a legitimate 7-footer on the entire roster. Simmons, at 6-foot-10, is now one of the Nets' biggest and most versatile players.
Ben Simmons has already proven he can defend at an All-NBA level. He made the NBA All-Defensive First Team two years in a row for the Sixers in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, last season, the Nets finished with just the 20th-best defense in the league with a team defensive rating of 112.3.
The Nets will now need Simmons to guard the other team’s best players on the perimeter while also offering help defend in the interior.
If Ben Simmons can defend and make plays, the Nets trio of Durant, Irving and Simmons should be good enough to compete for the title. But if Simmons keeps playing timid basketball like he did in game one, the Nets could be in trouble.