Ben Simmons: Aussie star produces best game in Brooklyn Nets jersey

Days after he was questioned by his teammates, Ben Simmons has responded with his best game in a Brooklyn Nets uniform. Is it a good sign for the future for the Aussie star?

PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 17: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dunks during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on November 17, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Finally, a little light for Ben Simmons in his tough initiation to basketball life in Brooklyn.

Banished to the bench in the hope the Aussie would find some form, Simmons produced his best game of the young season, producing a flawless 6-6 shooting effort in a near-triple-double as his side beat the buzzer to top Portland 109-97.

Simmons was a key feature in 32 minutes off the bench with 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

He also made light of his 47 per cent free throw shooting on the season, making three of four free throws as Portland played hack-a-Simmons.

“For me, I love those moments. I’m not going to shy away. That was their plan. Obviously, it didn’t work,” Simmons said.

“It’s building. I like those moments.”

Ben Simmons roars after throwing one down against the Trailblazers. Picture: Getty Images

Star teammate Kevin Durant had a monster night with 35 points, but Royce O’Neale was the hero, franking his 11-11-11 triple-double with a buzzer-beating tip in from a missed Durant gamewinner.

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Simmons has been the subject of plenty of criticism for his sub-par play in Brooklyn as he works his way into full fitness from off-season back surgery and was recently confronted by his own teammates in a players-only meeting urging him to lift.

Performances like this are a small step in the right direction for a man who has been a whipping boy in Australia, but would be a key figure in a World Cup or Olympic medal in the near future.

Teammates question Simmons

—Matt Logue

Ben Simmons understands the criticism he receives, but he is determined to fight through his comeback struggles amid his Brooklyn Nets teammates holding a player meeting to question his commitment to the team.

It comes as Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has revealed he wouldn’t have selected a vulnerable Simmons for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics if the Melbourne-born star was his son.

The polarising Aussie opted out of Australia’s Olympic campaign to focus on skills development following a poor playoff campaign for the 76ers, which led to a bitter trade standoff and the guard spending a season on the sidelines.

Ben Simmons firmly on Boomers radar despite a slow start to his NBA return with the struggling Brooklyn Nets. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images.

Goorjian wanted to select Simmons, but he understood that he wasn’t in the right headspace to represent his country.

“What he went through, if that was my son, I wouldn’t have put him in the Boomers and thrown him in there after that finish at Philadelphia,” Goorjian told The Huddle podcast, which drops on the NBL digital channels on Thursday.

“Again, it is his decision, but my thought process, I totally got it.

“He has had injury, the bad finish with Philadelphia, and the way forward was about how he went about it.

“He had to organise and get himself right. He has got to get himself healthy and get himself playing well.

“And really, he did the right thing by the Boomers.”

Goorjian says Simmons will be a “welcomed” addition and a “big piece” to the Boomers program when he is ready and healthy.

The Nets star recently declared he wants to represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Goorjian also left the door open for Simmons to play for the Boomers at next year’s World Cup.

“The great thing about sport is that it’s visual, so it’s like: what is he (Ben) playing like at the end of this (NBA) season?,” he said.

“Because right now, and everyone is talking about it, he is not Ben Simmons yet.

“And when he is Ben Simmons, he is a dominant player in the NBA and internationally.

“He is going through a process and where he is at the end of this will determine whether it is now or down the road.”

Ben Simmons this season:

5.6 PPG
6.6 APG
6 RPG
2.6 TPG
43.2% FG
0% 3P pic.twitter.com/dRXWPLLD33

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 9, 2022

Simmons’ NBA return after a year-and-a-half on the sidelines has been a slow process as he also deals with knee and back injuries, despite a season-best 11 point and five rebound performance in a loss to Sacramento on Thursday.

Now it has emerged that there has been building frustration surrounding Simmons’ availability and level of play.

According to reports in the US, some in the Brooklyn organisation are questioning the guard’s passion for the game.

Nets players held a meeting on October 29 (US time) to discuss Simmons.

Brooklyn forward Markieff Morris spoke up about how team need the Australian to succeed and that he has to respond when he deals with adversity on the court.

Brooklyn forward Markieff Morris approached Ben Simmons about his mindset during a recent player meeting. Picture: Dustin Satloff/Getty Images/AFP

The Athletic reported that Simmons appeared to take Morris’ words in his stride and was responsive and attentive throughout.

“I get (the scepticism), but I think the one thing with me is that I‘m a competitor,” Simmons told The Athletic.

“There’s only so much I can really do (about perception). You can’t make people believe; you know? They weren’t there when I was on the floor and couldn’t walk. They weren’t there when I was in the ambulance getting taken to the hospital.”

Simmons also addressed how he maintains his passion for basketball, despite the constant speculation surrounding his every movement.

“I love the game – do I like all the bullsh1t around it? – no,” he said.

“But I love the game and it (attention) comes with it … It is what it is. I love playing basketball & I love to work. Not every day‘s gonna be perfect. Everyone has down days; but that’s life.”

Originally published as Ben Simmons: Aussie star produces best game in Brooklyn Nets jersey