When the Brooklyn Nets traded for Ben Simmons last season, some felt he could be the missing piece to the puzzle for them and help them win the franchise’s first NBA championship.
Due to injury and what he claims are mental health issues, he hasn’t panned out yet, and neither has the team as a whole.
But lately, the Nets have been surging, and in his last handful of games, Simmons has been coming alive offensively to help their cause.
Former sharpshooter J.J. Redick said this week that Simmons is “showing signs of life.”
"Ben Simmons showing signs of LIFE!"
😤 @jj_redick pic.twitter.com/3qwJzx36CA
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 14, 2022
In his last 10 games, Simmons has put up 11.1 points on 72.5 percent shooting, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in 27.5 minutes per game, and while those numbers won’t impress that many observers, they are a step up from his production earlier in the season.
Simmons Needs To Be Engaged And Aggressive
Those who follow basketball have always known that Simmons possesses a unique set of talents and skills and that he has had, at the very least, borderline superstar potential.
But the knock on him has always been his lack of consistent aggression, as well as what seems like mental weakness.
When Simmons is on his game, he supercharges the Nets by wreaking havoc on the defensive end, pushing the pace relentlessly and getting teammates easy baskets in transition.
To play that style of ball, one needs a high motor, something that Simmons doesn’t have.
Brooklyn doesn’t need him to score that many points, as long as others not named Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving help out enough, but it does need him to give 100 percent at all times.
With Simmons playing somewhat better, the team has won eight of its last nine games and 11 of its last 14.
Here come the Brooklyn Nets 👀 pic.twitter.com/LFlh8CM0hz
— 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 (@_Talkin_NBA) December 13, 2022
But the true judge of his performance will come sometime in May or June when the Nets either win the world championship or suffer yet another disappointing playoff defeat.
NEXT: The Nets Have Been Building Something Special