ORLANDO, FL – The Brooklyn Nets nonetheless don’t know precisely when Ben Simmons will have the ability to make his season debut as he continues to grapple with a again damage, however coach Steve Nash stated after Tuesday’s shootout that he ” So ecstatic we hope to see him within the common season.
“It is simply rehabilitating and strengthening him,” Nash stated. “We’re nonetheless doing that facet of issues as a substitute of courtroom work for the time being.”
The uncertainty surrounding Simmons’ standing is attracting extra consideration because the Nets solely have 14 video games left within the common season and Simmons, who was acquired on the buying and selling deadline final month from the Philadelphia 76ers, has not been allowed to apply. When the comeback challenge arose within the final week of February, Nash thought it was only a wrench associated to the truth that Simmons hadn’t performed all season as he was ready for a deal from Philadelphia, however the challenge has grow to be extra severe in latest weeks as Simmons hasn’t been capable of do something outdoors Some particular person work. Simmons didn’t accompany the Nets to Orlando.
“The most important factor we tried to do was contain him in all the pieces,” Nash stated. “Journey is the one caveat as generally the fee and profit to him weighs in on completely different planes, buses, and beds. When he’s with us we would like him in each assembly, each tour, each film session, no matter it might be across the group. We like him to journey and be with the group. On a regular basis, however we now have to weigh that situation as effectively.”
Nash stated Simmons, who joined the Nets final week in Philadelphia, has been in conferences with the group when he is with the group — however acknowledged that it’s going to take extra time to discover a rhythm as soon as Simmons begins precise coaching once more.
“I believe he has a great understanding,” Nash stated. “Now, was his concentrate on studying what we’re doing? No, he is been on getting higher. We have hosted him, we would like him to be taught, however there’s quite a bit occurring while you’re attempting desperately to combat to get on the courtroom.
“I do not anticipate him to be completely known as in about what we’re doing as a result of a part of that can also be feeling; getting on the market together with your teammates, seeing how he matches in. I believe he’d be an ideal match for our gamers. However a few of these issues additionally exit and do them, and also you be taught. rapidly, fairly than studying it via notes.”
Veteran goalkeeper Goran Dragic has admitted that the scenario surrounding Simmons’ return is troublesome, however is attempting to concentrate on the truth that as soon as Simmons is wholesome and able to play, he ought to have the ability to present one other increase to the group that comes into Tuesday’s sport after successful three in a row and sitting in eighth. on the Japanese Convention.
It is powerful,” stated Dragic. “However on the identical time, we’re all professionals right here. Everyone knows how you can play basketball. After all, you want a while to get all the way down to the bottom and determine these items, however I all the time take a look at it this manner: Now, he is not taking part in and once we lastly discover a rhythm, [we] I am unable to wait to deliver it again.
“As a result of then you definitely get one other gun, one other defender, one other striker so will probably be higher. After all we want him all the very best, and he can come again rapidly and assist us.”
