his passage weather causes amnesia, especially in sports. If the particular subject was very successful at a particular time, after several pages of the diary, everyone will remember it with a certain nostalgia, which is nothing more than affection. Conversely, if the protagonist did not have fortune on his side, his past will serve as a sharp weapon to wield when needed.
At this point, recognize that they weren’t completely fair Ben Simmons it should be a fact accepted by the vast majority.
As in other moments in NBA history where the Giants dominated the game, today the expectations with someone who is over 2.06, whose game is more like that of a small and is basically a point guard, it is extremely high. And with great hopes placed on figures like these, when the imaginary goals set for them are not met, the reaction can only be collective hostility.
subscribe to NBA League Pass to see all games: United States | The rest of the world
Ben Simmons was expected to be the third link of a chain started from magic Johnson and detached from Lebron James, as the logical continuation of a player who appears once every 25 years. Whether it was because of the sporting context, because of his development, because of his personal circumstances or because of a disability, the Australian has not yet reached the point that public opinion has determined him to be. by the way Simmons went through the darkest period of his life on a personal and sporting level, as told wonderfully inside The Old Man and the Three, in addition to experiencing a very painful disc injury that required surgery. All this while around you rumours of conveyance, interested information about his personality or commitment that occupied hours of television, radio and headlines.
More than a year after his fateful performance in the seventh game against Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 playoffs Ben Simmons is right where he was. However, the differences are huge. Now the Brooklyn Nets have made sure to give him the right context so he can express his virtues and camouflage his shortcomings, instead of trying to turn stone into gold as happened in Philadelphia.
And how has he accomplished it? through defense and the game in transition. That is, returning to the basics and those points that made Ben Simmons one of the greatest talents of his generation. And it is that few understand better how to make the most of an attack on arrival, predict what the off-ball trajectories of those accompanying him will be and project the entry into the counter-attack so well.
Simmons’ arrival to the New York team was celebrated so much because he came to solve the endemic problem of the Durant-Kyrie era: the defense. A team without sufficient weapons or structure to find the balance between the two phases of the game and who are expected to find the Australian a long-awaited repulse. It took the youngster more than a month to get fully fit and acclimatise to the game, but now that he has the confidence and stripes enough, he sees the transfer as worth it.
The Nets player’s job is not easy as he is paired with a sub 1.96 manager as well as big and very heavy insides. The Australian combines these functions fantastically because with the small ones he exerts pressure on the rise of the ball and against the big ones he exploits his difference in hand speed.
Perhaps the best example of Ben Simmons’ pre-injury return is this action against him pacemakers:
He pairs up with Tyrese Haliburton and forces him through defense, footwork and hands to take an awkward shot that misses. Immediately after, he takes the initiative in the attack to finish in a few seconds with a layup after the reverse.
However, beyond his pure highlights, there are other sequences which, despite ending in a team-mate’s failure, reflect his fantastic form. Among them this stands out:
Since returning to action for good from his left knee issues, Ben Simmons is averaging 15.5 points on an astounding 82% shooting from the field, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1. 2 entries.
Figures very similar to those he had with the Philadelphia 76ers except for the success in front of the basket, but with one essential difference: the general perception of his performance. If the Sixers when he achieved very similar statistics was argued that it was not enough, now it seems that the opposite is happening, and it is a great moment of form. Nonetheless, This is the same Ben Simmons who wore #20 in Phillywhat has changed is everything around him: context, teammates, fans, etc.
His moves from the back are prophetic and allow Brooklyn to score quick points when the counters start moving. Also, take advantage of sharing the field with pitchers on the move like Patty Mills, Seth Curry or Joe Harris.
In the aforementioned 6-game span, the Australian is putting up 15 points with 5.8 assists, to which must be added 11.5 possible baskets and 3.1 screen help.
Ben Simmons hasn’t changed a bit in that time. Stays the same. And there is nothing negative about that, because as it is now he is a differential player in defense and transition, who when he has the day manages to tip the balance in his favor in other areas of the game. The only thing that has changed is the goal with which it is observed for from those who expect nothing more, they never disappoint.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
