Simmons breaks silence as NBA coach gives a brutal reality check

Ben Simmons has made a stunning declaration after a former coach delivered a brutal reality check for the Aussie superstar.

Patty Mills and Ben Simmons. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images.

Despite the Nets’ two losses, former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy has marvelled at their competitiveness in the first two games of their playoff series against the Celtics. He views the Nets roster as hastily thrown together without time to blend.

As such, even though he’s a big fan of Ben Simmons, Van Gundy — now a popular TV commentator — can’t imagine the enigmatic 6-foot-11 guard making much of a difference.

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Simmons is slated to make his long-anticipated season and Nets debut in Game 4 on Tuesday (AEST). But will Simmons turn into just another new body thrown into an already chaotic mix?

Van Gundy, who called Game 2 and will be back for TNT’s broadcast of Game 4, said Nets coach Steve Nash has been dealt a bad hand for the play-offs. Down 0-2, the Nets return to Barclays Centre on Sunday for Game 3.

“I know people have been critical of Steve Nash,’’ Van Gundy told The New York Post.

“I just laugh. The expectations are ridiculous.’’

The title-now Nets were forced into dealing disgruntled James Harden at the February trade deadline to the 76ers, adding Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and an injured Simmons, who hasn’t played since June 2021.

“I’ve always been one of [Ben’s] biggest advocates — I love him,’’ Van Gundy said.

“He’s one of three, four guys in the league who truly can guard 1 through 5. He’s been one of the best defensive players the prior couple of years. He can really rebound.

Ben Simmons on the bench. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images.

He can help their transition game and he’s a pass-first guy who’s very creative. But he hasn’t played a single minute with any of these guys.

“He’s not plug-and-play type guy because he’s not a shooter. You have to really spend some time to get your station right. Not so much when he has the ball, but when he doesn’t have the ball. Is he playing with a centre? Where do you put [Andre] Drummond or [Nic] Claxton on the floor? Those things are not that easy.”

Simmons spoke to confirm his hopes of suiting up on Tuesday and dismissed concerns about his ability to hit the ground running.

He believes it’s “reasonable” for him to target Game 4. He also gave an extraordinary response when asked about his ability to fit into the team’s rhythm.

Simmons said after practice in Brooklyn on Saturday in his first public comments since February 15: “I’ll fit in. I’m not worried about that”.

Asked how difficult it will be to make his team debut amid the intensity of a postseason game, he replied: “We’ll find out. It’s a good challenge, but I’m looking forward especially to playing with these guys. I think for me, my IQ is so high to play with guys like Ky and Seth [Curry] and Kev, just watching them I know how they play and how they want to play. For me to get them in their spots and be a floor general. It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it.”

Beyond rust and back issues, nobody knows if Simmons’ mental block shooting the ball has disappeared the past 11 months.

“He’s got a good pick-and-roll game with him as screener,’’ Van Gundy said.

“But when are you going to develop that? On the fly during a game in the middle of the playoffs against a team like Boston?”

The Celtics, Van Gundy, said, are a well-oiled machine compared to the Nets’ rotation, which was cobbled together the past two months — all part of the domino effect from Kyrie Irving’s decision to go unvaccinated.

It’s really happening. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images.

“What they’re trying to accomplish is almost unprecedented,’’ the longtime NBA coach said. “They’re playing basically eight guys. Four of the guys in their rotation haven’t played 30 games with them. Curry, Drummond came over in the trade. Kyrie couldn’t play [full-time] all year. And Goran Dragic has hardly played.

“They’re playing all these guys who’ve had no time with each other. And Boston’s a really good team, underestimated all year. They’ve been by far — and it’s not close — the best team in the East the second half of the year.’’

Irving’s vaccination hold-out limited to him playing 29 games. It prompted Harden to ask out and possibly wore down Durant, who is struggling at 13-for-41 shooting for the series.

Van Gundy credited Boston’s “incredible defence’’ collapsing on KD. But he said, it’s evident the Nets aren’t simpatico enough on-court to get more “movement’’ to run different sets for the future Hall of Famer to make life easier.

“No question that has been a big part of this season,’’ Van Gundy said of Irving’s vaccine choice.

“They haven’t had the continuity on the floor to develop great chemistry. And I think it does cause players — rightly or wrongly — to question his commitment to the team. So trust deteriorates. It’s been an extremely difficult situation. But I thought they played really well in the two games.’’

“Thursday (AEST) was the hardest I’ve seen them play 48 minutes all year. So think it’s far from over with them going home.’’