NBA 2022-23: Ben Simmons struggling in Brooklyn return
Ben Simmons’ Brookyn return has left fans uninspired and raised doubts about what impact the Aussie can have in the NBA this season.
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Australian NBA star Ben Simmons has been accused by fans of lacking the dedication to improve after his second pre-season game for the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
Simmons had four points, 10 rebounds and four assists, but he only attempted three shots in his 25 minutes on the floor.
The Melbourne-born guard also had a whopping six turnovers in the Nets’ 109-80 loss to the Miami Heat.
Simmons’ sluggish performance sparked a barrage of online criticism, with fans calling out the guard for his lack of improvement following a full off-season.
“Ben Simmons had 4 points and 6 turnovers but ESPN replaying his one highlight like he went for 30 in a preseason game,” one fan said on Twitter.
The polarishing Aussie has spent over 470 days on the sideline since his ugly trade exit from the Philadelphia 76ers, which prompted him to miss the entire 2021/2022 season as the contractual drama unfolded.
Simmons’ next pre-season game is next Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks from 10am (AEDT).
THE AUSSIES SET TO MAKE HEADLINES IN NBA THIS SEASON
Headed by the return of Ben Simmons following the most eventful period of his promising career, a record eleven Aussies look set to achieve historical success in the NBA this season.
Simmons has put aside his ugly trade exit from the Philadelphia 76ers, an ongoing back injury and mental health concerns to feel refreshed and refocused to remind the hoops world that he is a three-time NBA All-Star.
The Melbourne-born guard showed glimpes of his best in his pre-season debut for the Brooklyn Nets against the 76ers on Tuesday, dropping six points, four rebounds and five assists.
Simmons hadn’t played in 471 days prior to this clash, so he’ll inevitably improve with more game time.
Fellow Victorian, Bendigo’s Dyson Daniels, has also made pre-season headlines.
Daniels starred in his NBA pre-season debut for the New Orleans Pelicans, stuffing the stat sheet and sealing a win with two clutch free throws.
He finished with 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 23 minutes to help the Pelicans claim a 129-125 win over Chicago.
Giddey put on a hoops show in his first pre-season game against Denver on Tuesday. He dominated with 14 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and one block to lead the Thunder to a 112-101 victory.
Australians have long impressed in the NBA, but this season could reach new heights. We look at each Aussie in the NBA and the big talking points heading into the season.
BEN SIMMONS (Brooklyn Nets)
To shoot or not to shoot is the question the basketball world wants answers to when it comes to Ben Simmons.
Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash has declared he doesn’t care if Simmons never shots a jump shot for the Nets.
Nash’s statement makes sense when you look at Brooklyn’s star-studded and offensive potent roster, led by superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Simmons is an elite defender and passer who also has the ability to use his big body to drive to the rim and dunk.
It’s why Nash is right in some senses – the Nets don’t the Aussie to shoot when they’ve already got so many stars in that department.
Simmons would be better served as Brooklyn’s chief facilitator, which is exactly what the coach wants.
“He’s welcome to (shoot), but that’s not what makes him special and not what we need,” Nash said.
“He’s a great complement to our team and he’s an incredible basketball player because of his versatility.”
As accurate as Nash’s statement is based on Brooklyn personnel, there is also a fair belief that Simmons needs a jump shot to become even greater.
PATTY MILLS: (Brooklyn Nets)
Will Mills receive more minutes this season after dropping down the pecking order at the back end of last season?
The Boomers gun started his first season in Brooklyn on fire, including dropping a record eight three pointers in the Nets’ Christmas Day win over the LA Lakers.
He took charge with star guard Kyrie Irving not playing home games due to his Covid vaccination stance.
Mills’ minutes soon dried up when the Nets acquired fellow guard Seth Curry in a trade while Irving eventually returned to the line-up.
The veteran guard came off the bench with limited impact as Brooklyn were bundled out in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs by Boston.
It will be fascinating to see where Mills fits in at the Brooklyn this season with Simmons returning to join the likes of Durant, Irving, and Curry.
He is a key bench option for the Nets, but how many minutes he receives remains to be seen.
JOSH GIDDEY: (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Watch for Giddey to take another step forward this season after his record-breaking rookie campaign.
The future Boomers captain recorded four triple-doubles in just 54 games on the court during the 2021-22 season. Giddey became the youngest player in the NBA to ever record a triple-double and finished as one of three players (Ben Simmons & Luka Doncic) in the past 25 years to notch four or more triple-doubles in their rookie season.
Giddey, though, is on track to be a star in the NBA, but there’s one key piece of his game that must improve. Expect to see a big improvement on his jump shot after shooting 26.3 per cent from beyond the arc.
JOE INGLES: (Milwaukee Bucks)
You won’t Ingles on court until late January earliest he recovers from a torn ACL that he suffered in the middle of last season while still playing for Utah.
The Boomers fan favourite is now a Buck after penning a one-year, (US) $6.5 million deal with the club in free agency.
Milwaukee remain excited about Ingles’ passing and shooting ability alongside the likes of Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“We love guys with size and versatile skill sets,” Bucks GM Jon Horst said.
“He (Ingles) is big, he can shoot, he can pass, he‘s tough, he’s been an above-average defender, he’s a really smart defender.”
MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA: (Sacramento Kings)
Dellavedova, 32, will have to produced renowned aggression on defence if his second stint in the NBA is going to last after the former Melbourne United guard signed a non-guaranteed one-year contract with Sacramento in July.
Dellavedova will play a veteran role off the bench for the Kings under former championship-winning Cleveland coach Mike Brown, who is now at Sacramento.
“I was lucky enough to have him (Mike) my rookie season and he really taught defensively so well and really gave me a great base understanding of how to play NBA defence,” Dellavedova said at the media day.
JACK WHITE: (Denver Nuggets)
Former Melbourne United star Jack White is fitting in well in Denver.
White plays with all-world shooters like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr, but teammate Christian Braun has labelled him “the best shooter on the team.”
White owns records in three of the team’s five competitive shooting drills, nailing 83/100 in one involving shots off the move, 47/50 (10 shots from five spots) and 88/100 (20 shots, five spots).
The 25-year-old showed a fine stroke in NBA Summer League, which helped him secure a two-way deal with the Nuggets, and, with his elite athleticism and never-say-die effort, it is that shooting ability that will be key in unlocking a long NBA career.
-Michael Randall
JOCK LANDALE: (Phoenix Suns)
Aussie hoops fans led the “free Landale” calls last season when he played limited minutes under Gregg Popovich at the San Antonio Spurs.
The former Melbourne United championship-winner proved he belonged in the NBA when he received his chance to start dropping 10 points and 11 rebounds in a breakout game in January against the LA Clippers.
The Boomers big man is now in Phoenix via brief trade to Atlanta and he is poised to play bigger minutes off the bench.
Landale has already received praise from star Suns guard Devin Booker.
“I’ve enjoyed playing with Jock [Landale],” Booker said.
“He‘s making the right plays out there. He’s one of the few players on the team I haven’t seen the most of and it’s been very impressive.”
JOSH GREEN: (Dallas Mavericks)
Expect Green will take on a bigger role after producing a career-best season with the Dallas Mavericks last season.
The Sydney-born guard averaged 4.8 points in 15.5 minutes per game as the Mavericks surged to an unlikely surge to the Western Conference Finals.
Green doesn’t turn 22 until November, so he has time to add muscle to his frame and that will allow him to become a problem for anyone he guards.
DYSON DANIELS: (New Orleans Pelicans)
Daniels will come off the bench with his primary focus to defend and attempt to shutdown the NBA’s leading scorers.
It won’t be an easy job for the Bendigo-born rookie, but he has proven during his time in the G League and for the Boomers that he is an elite defender.
Watch for Daniels to also stuff the stat sheet with his pinpoint passing.
MATISSE THYBULLE: (Philadelphia 76ers)
It’s a career-defining year for Thybulle in the NBA. The Boomers star is a beast on the defensive end, but his shooting needs to improve at the NBA level.
Last season, Thybulle averaged 5.7 points while shooting 31.3 per cent from distance.
His form dropped when he was demoted to Philadelphia’s bench due to his vaccination status, and he admitted to losing confidence as a result.
Thybulle shot just 29 per cent from deep last post-season and this must improve for him to take the next step in his NBA career.
MAKUR MAKER: (Washington Wizards)
Expect to see Maker primarily play with Washington’s G League team, Capital City Go-Go, after signing an Exhibit 10 contract.
The championship-winning Sydney Kings centre has the ability to play in the NBA with his length, athleticism and 107 kilo frame.
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