"Teachers teach and do the world good; Kings just rule and most are never understood" - Former Most Improved Player winner analyzes Ben Simmons' role with Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets superstar Ben Simmons had a rather soft debut with the team during their preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. While the performance left room for a lot to speculation, former Most Improved Player Jalen Rose offered an interesting take on the matter.
Ben Simmons made his long-awaited debut in a Nets uniform earlier this week. Playing alongside the likes of superstar teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving for the first time, Simmons struggled to establish an offensive rhythm for himself.
Having recorded six points, five assists and four rebounds in roughly 20 minutes of playing time, Simmons certainly looked rusty. Irving mentioned in the post-game interview that the 3x All-Star would get his game legs under him and it would be a developmental process as well.
The criticism regarding Simmons' Nets debut also raised certain questions regarding his role in the team's system. David Jacoby addressed this on Jalen & Jacoby when he asked Jalen Rose what Simmons' role would be.
Rose responded:
"Teacher's teach and do the world good. Kings just rule and most are never understood. I'm giving you the pieces on the chessboard. When you're looking at Ben Simmons, he's basically playing small-ball 5.
"He received the ball twice in the paint for dumps. You showed him on the post, around eight feet away from the basket. You know what you don't see him doing? [Be] out at the top of the floor initiating the offense a lot of times, playing the 1.
"That's what's going to be different about his experience playing basketball with the Nets vs the Sixers. He won't be considered the primary point guard, which doesn't expose the fact that he doesn't attempt shots outside the paint as much."
Are we seeing the Ben Simmons x Brooklyn Nets blueprint? https://t.co/I9VZzoxmmZ
David Jacoby followed up with high praise for Ben Simmons playing in Brooklyn. Jacoby displayed a lot of faith in the 3x All-Star's ability to perform well this season primarily due to his defensive and playmaking abilities.
Ben Simmons' willingness to play the 5
As mentioned by Jalen Rose, Ben Simmons currently finds himself in a position to play small-ball 5 for the Brooklyn Nets. Considering that Nic Claxton is listed as the starting center for the team, Simmons could be in a position to fill in at any point of time.
However, the 3x All-Star has already displayed a willingness to play the 5 in an earlier interview.
“I love playing the 5, I don’t mind.”
- Ben Simmons
(h/t @MattBrooksNBA ) https://t.co/lQfYkcmRjo
Considering his size, strength and athleticism, Simmons is physically one of the most versatile players in the NBA. Standing at nearly 7ft tall, he definitely has the length to go toe-to-toe with some of the best big men in the league.
With players such as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant supporting him on offense, Simmons is in an ideal position to pass out of the post and catch easy dimes.
While the concern in this regard would be the physical duress he would face on the defensive end, the Nets star finds himself liberated.
Given the task of locking up around the perimeter, Simmons certainly has every avenue to succeed.