The Nets have been witnessing one thing new this coaching camp — a wholesome Ben Simmons.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t initially identified to be new till the purpose guard mentioned Friday that he didn’t really feel “100%” coming into coaching camp a yr in the past.
The Nets star was regarded as wholesome earlier than struggling a again harm after taking part in within the first 5 video games of the season.
It continued to be a problem, together with working into knee issues, and Simmons went on to overlook 67 of the 82 Nets video games.
From talking with reporters after apply, it appears Simmons began the season with one other herniated disc, and the repeated harm issues of the 2023 season might have been prevented.
“I really feel bodily able to play at a excessive degree,” Simmons defined about feeling totally different coming into coaching camp forward of the 2024-25 season. “Final yr, I received to the purpose the place I used to be ok to get on the courtroom, however I wasn’t 100%, which it was the state of affairs — it was it was — however on the finish of the day, I’m right here now, and that is the state of affairs. I really feel nice, and I put a number of time and work in.”
“I used to be taking part in with one other herniated disc, in order that was in all probability an enormous purpose why,” he added about his modified rehab course of from final yr. “That is my second surgical procedure in a pair years. Similar state of affairs, totally different space within the again, however I’m cleared now and I really feel nice and able to go.”
Simmons didn’t admit to feeling any stress to play at the moment going into this yr, however there appears to have been a rushed course of final yr to assist on the courtroom.
“I wish to compete and assist my teammates win. Being in positions like that, clearly, you wish to do what you may and get what you might have, and that’s what I did final yr,” he mentioned. “Whether or not I used to be wholesome or not, I attempted to do what I might for the workforce whereas I had a chance to play.”
A former Rookie of the 12 months, Simmons was taking part in on a five-year, $177 million deal signed in 2020 with the 76ers when he was acquired by Nets — together with Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round draft picks — in change for James Harden and Paul Millsap in February 2022.
He was counted on to be part of a Huge Three alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to convey house a championship.
Nevertheless, his accidents took over the narrative of his costly Nets profession.
Simmons has missed 189 of 246 video games over the previous three seasons with nerve impingements in his again that led to 2 microscopic partial discectomies, the most recent this previous March.
Within the 57 video games he has performed out of the 191 Nets video games since he was added to the roster, Simmons may have been paid $86. 3 million whereas averaging simply 6.7 factors.
Now with a clear invoice of well being and some huge cash spent, the Nets are hoping to lastly spark his classic three-time All-Star self from his days in Philadelphia that noticed him common 15.9 factors, 7.7 assists, and eight.1 rebounds.
“I really feel superb,” Simmons mentioned. “Bodily, I really feel advantageous. I’m able to go.”
Coming into a brand new scene with neither Durant and Irving nor Mikal Bridges — the highest participant from the deal that despatched Durant to Phoenix who this summer time was dealt to the Knicks — Simmons will likely be trusted together with Nic Claxton to tackle a heavy load for a workforce in a rebuilding yr.
Within the final two seasons, the Nets have gone 31-26 with Simmons on the courtroom and 46-61 with out him.
It will likely be paramount for Simmons to remain wholesome for a optimistic Nets season and for his future, as he’ll make $40.3 million within the closing yr of his contract earlier than hitting unrestricted free company subsequent summer time.
“Can’t do issues on a basketball courtroom in case your physique’s not prepared, you already know? It’s fairly easy,” Simmons mentioned. “You’re not going to go downhill, soar right into a 7-foot man; simply doesn’t make sense. However, I really feel nice now. I’m studying to belief my physique increasingly more with the reps I get. So, it’s good.”
