Ben Simmons says physically he’s right as he focuses on mental health ahead of Brooklyn debut
Aussie NBA star Ben Simmons says he hopes to be fully fit to make his debut for Brooklyn Nets against his former franchise, but in the meantime his priorities lie elsewhere.
Ben Simmons has moved past his ugly trade standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers, but his biggest test awaits.
A refreshed Simmons faced the media for the first time in almost seven months as a Brooklyn Net on Wednesday, detailing the depths of his mental health battles as he looks to revive his promising yet polarising career.
The Melbourne-born guard revealed he could make his return against his former franchise in Philadelphia on March 11.
The 76ers fans, who have the reputation as being the most brutal in American sport, will be baying for Simmons’ blood as they believe he betrayed the team with his unwillingness to improve his shooting after being selected No. 1 in the 2016 draft.
Simmons, though, reached “dark places” throughout his trade saga with the 76ers as he struggled with a range of personal issues.
After much soul searching, the gifted Aussie feels “happy” again at the Nets as he nears a comeback to the court.
He said he “hopes” to be fit around March 11 when the Nets take on the Sixers in Philadelphia.
In the meantime, Simmons is focused on managing his mental health to be fit and firing again.
“That’s something I’ve been dealing with,” Simmons said.
“And it wasn’t about the fans or coaches or comments made by anybody.
“It was just a personal thing for me. That was earlier than that (playoff) series (against Atlanta) or even that season that I was dealing with (mental health issues) and the organisation (76ers) knew that.
“So it’s something that I continue to deal with and I’m getting to my place, getting back to the floor.”
Simmons has maintained his fitness while on the sidelines and says he’ll be physically ready to perform when he returns.
“I’ve been in the gym every day, just being consistent with it (my shooting) and building that confidence,” he said.
Simmons’ mental health had previously been cited as the reason he didn’t play with the Sixers this season.
According to the three-time All-Star guard, though, his lengthy hold out with Philadelphia had nothing to do with his mental health.
“It was a bunch of things I was dealing with as a person in my personal life that I don’t really want to go into depth,” he said.
“There’s just a lot of things internally that happened (at the Sixers) over time and it just got to a place where I don’t think it was good for me mentally so it is what it is.
“It happened and I’m moving forward.
“I feel physically pretty good.
“Mentally, I’m getting there, so it’s an ongoing thing to stay on top of that. But I think I’m heading in the right direction and it’s a blessing to be in an organisation like this, and I’m just looking forward to getting back on the floor and building something great here.”
Simmons added that there needs to be change in how athletes and mental health is addressed.
“I’ve had some dark times over these last six months, and I’m just happy to be in this situation with this team and organisation,” he said.
“People are going to say what they want, they’ve said it the last six months and I haven’t commented. I don’t think people really understand the — I don’t even look at it as pressure. “There’s just so many things going on within you know, basketball and life as people but it is what it is. I also understand the business, I understand all that. But (mental health) is something that should be acknowledged and addressed. If (people) do feel like they need help in areas it’s OK to do that.”
It has been a whirlwind period for Simmons since last week’s trade deadline.
Thankfully, the support of his new Nets teammates has made the transition from Philadelphia to Brooklyn so much easier.
“I was like, wow, I’m really here,” he said.
“This whole experience has been surreal.”
Simmons plans a Philly showdown
Australian NBA star Ben Simmons is aiming to make his debut for Brooklyn against his former franchise — the 76ers — in Philadelphia on March 11.
In the meantime, the Aussie superstar is focused on making sure he is mentally fit to take the court again after almost seven months on the sideline.
“That’s something I’ve been dealing with,” Simmons said.
“And it wasn’t about the fans or coaches or comments made by anybody
“It was just a personal thing for me. That was earlier than that (playoff) series (against Atlanta) or even that season that I was dealing with (mental health issues) and the organisation (76ers) knew that.
“So it’s something that I continue to deal with and I’m getting to my place, getting back to the floor.”
Simmons has maintained his fitness while on the sidelines and says he’ll be physically ready to perform when he returns.
“I’ve been in the gym every day, just being consistent with it (my shooting) and building that confidence,” he said.
Simmons has broken his silence on his trade request and revealed he has “had some dark times over the last six months”.
In his first interview since his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons said he was still “getting there mentally” but that his lengthy hold out with the club had nothing to do with his mental health.
“There’s just a lot of things internally that happened over time and it just got to a place where I don’t think it was good for me mentally so it is what it is,” he said of his departure from Philly during a news conference on Tuesday.
“It happened and I’m moving forward.
“I feel physically pretty good
“Mentally, I’m getting there, so it’s an ongoing thing to stay on top of that. But I think I’m heading in the right direction.”
Simmons’ mental health had previously been cited as the reason he didn’t play with the Sixers this season.
In the building 👀 pic.twitter.com/KCpan6vzfj
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2022
“The mental health had nothing to do with just the trade,” Simmons said.
“It was a bunch of things I was dealing with as a person in my personal life that I don’t really want to go into depth. But I’m here now, so it’s a blessing to be in an organisation like this, and I’m just looking forward to getting back on the floor and building something great here.”
Simmons added that there needs to be change in how athletes and mental health is addressed.
“I’ve had some dark times over these last six months, and I’m just happy to be in this situation with this team and organisation,” he said.
“People are going to say what they want, they’ve said it the last six months and I haven’t commented. I don’t think people really understand the – I don’t even look at it as pressure. “There’s just so many things going on within you know, basketball and life as people but it is what it is. I also understand the business, I understand all that. But (mental health) is something that should be acknowledged and addressed. If (people) do feel like they need help in areas it’s OK to do that.”
Simmons has seen and heard the commentary and criticism around his mental health but he isn’t bitter or angry.
“It felt like it should feel. My teammates embraced me as soon as I got here. And then, besides that, the fans are very welcoming, which was great. The energy just in the locker room and just around the building was terrific.”
Ben Simmons reflects on the end of his time with the Sixers:
— ESPN (@espn) February 15, 2022
"It was just piled up ... to where I just knew I wasn't myself and I needed to get back into that place ... being happy as a person." pic.twitter.com/33OTltQ29B
The Brooklyn Nets have already mapped out their plan for the polarising yet gifted guard.
“So last six months, I had everybody saying something, but not everybody knew,” Simmons said.
“I can’t really say anything negative towards anybody that was saying something because they just didn’t know. I’m not the type of person to try to put somebody down for something I don’t know about. That’s just not me as a man.”
It has been a whirlwind period for Simmons since last week’s trade deadline.
Thankfully, the support of his new Nets teammates has made the transition from Philadelphia to Brooklyn so much easier.
“I was like, wow, I’m really here,” he said.
“This whole experience has been surreal.
Simmons was at Barclays Center, reporting to the Nets for his first shootaround ahead of their home game against Sacramento on Tuesday.
The Melbourne-born guard completed limited court work, but he looked happy as he greeted his new teammates in a giant stride forward given he hasn’t played since June last year.
The last time Simmons was seen in an NBA game, he was passing up a dunk in Game 7 of last season’s Eastern Conference semi-finals, after which he received little support from 76ers star Joel Embiid or coach Doc Rivers.
In the building 👀 pic.twitter.com/KCpan6vzfj
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2022
It comes as Nets coach Steve Nash has made his intentions clear on how he plans to use Simmons in a team full of strong shooters.
Nash was asked by a reporter ahead of Saturday’s game at Miami about Simmons’ key offensive limitations.
“Ben does a thousand things on the basketball court – shooting is not one that I'm dying to see,” Nash said.
“He is an amazing basketball player, and that's without shooting the ball.
“So, to me there's not a conversation there at all. If he gets better at shooting, great. But he's an All-Star basketball player and has an incredible potential to affect games with all the other things he does. So, to be honest with you, it's not a huge concern of mine.”
Simmons’ mental state is unclear, and he has yet to talk publicly, but he has joined Brooklyn and begun introducing himself around the organisation, a positive first step.
Nets shooting guard Cam Thomas, who is a product of LSU University like Simmons, is excited to work with the three-time NBA All-Star.
“We had a little conversation. He asked questions about LSU,” said Thomas, who was a Tiger four years after Simmons.
“I guess we’ll see how it works out.
“He hasn’t played with us yet, so I guess we’ll see how it works out.”
Nets power forward Nic Claxton can’t wait to see what Simmons produces in the open floor with his pinpoint vision, passing and ability to drive to the basket.
“I think we’ll be able to play really fast, getting out in transition,” Claxton said. “We’ll definitely be able to switch a lot on defence, having a lot of length down low, having some good groups. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
After meeting his teammates, the next step would be for Simmons to begin practising with them, which could happen as soon as Tuesday.
Simmons’ former Philadelphia teammate Danny Green sided with the 76ers when discussing the trade standoff between the two parties recently.
Green recorded his Inside the Green Podcast just after the NBA trade deadline, a couple hours after Sixers GM Daryl Morey worked his magic.
“Daryl is winning. You see the Kyrie [Irving] situation, you see the Ben situation, where guys sit out, not getting vaxxed,” Green said.
“Ben got the trade he wanted, but, to me, I think he lost this battle. He had to lose out on more than half the season. He’s still going to a contender, but Daryl’s got a lot of things done here. And I still don’t think he’s done. I think he’s going to find some other pieces to where he can add to this group and to make us a championship contender.”
Simmons’ replacement at the 76ers – James Harden – has been ruled out of this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game on Monday.
Harden, who joined the Sixers last week in a stunning trade from the Brooklyn, will be replaced by Cleveland Cavaliers centre Jarrett Allen on LeBron James’ team.
The Sixers said Harden would also miss the team’s final two games before the All-Star break — against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday and Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
Harden is still recovering from a hamstring strain that forced him to miss multiple games with Brooklyn before he was traded away last week.
Harden had been selected by team captain James after being ignored by former Nets teammate Kevin Durant during selection of the All-Star line-ups last Thursday.
The All-Star game takes place on Monday in Cleveland from 12pm (AEDT).
Goorjian’s sadness during Simmons’ suffering
Brian Goorjian hasn’t felt so personally impacted by someone else’s situation than Ben Simmons’ bitter trade standoff with the Philadelphia 76ers.
That’s a big statement to make given Goorjian’s extensive experience across basketball spanning over three decades, including the Boomers, the NBL and China.
Yet when the supercoach saw Simmons mentally suffer while he sat on the sidelines for almost seven months, resulting in $A26.5 million in fines for refusing to play, he couldn’t just watch on.
He knew he had to act and offer support.
It’s why Goorjian kept in regular contact with Simmons from the moment he withdrew from the Boomers squad for the Tokyo Olympics last June, right up until the day he was traded from the Sixers to the Brooklyn Nets over the weekend.
“Because I was genuinely upset by this whole (trade) saga,” said Goorjian, who is hoping to see Simmons play for the Boomers in the coming years.
“Ben hasn’t cried out for any help, but the situation has bothered me – not from a Boomers standpoint, I mean that is a side.
“It is about Ben, and I’ve just been feeling it.
“This has been one of the toughest situations I’ve seen of anybody that I know, how this has all unfolded and where it has ended up.
“So, I wanted to have a constant line of communication with Ben.
“As the trade deadline was coming closer, I’d stay in touch, saying how are you? Do you need anything on this side? Hope you’re well.
“Ben has been working out and he responds to everything that you send.
“In fact, I was in touch with Ben and his camp the day before the trade and then I got a nice message from Ben’s brother Sean who helps look after Ben, almost immediately after his signing.”
Goorjian and the Simmons family go back years to the master mentor’s days at the South East Melbourne Magic and the Sydney Kings trying to contain Dave Simmons and the star-studded Melbourne Tigers.
His brother, Kevin, then coached Ben at Box Hill Senior Secondary College in Melbourne.
This connection was set to help Goorjian secure Simmons for last year’s Tokyo Olympics before the then 76ers guard withdrew to focus on his NBA career following a forgettable playoff campaign.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 12, 2022
This disappointment didn’t stop the veteran mentor from continuing to have Ben’s back throughout his entire trade standoff with the 76ers.
The Simmons camp has also appreciated Goorjian’s support.
“Ben and his family have been great,” Goorjian said.
“Their communication and congratulations throughout the success of the Boomers and there has support both ways right the way through.
“For Ben to do that – it means a lot to me – because of these trying times for him and he has had plenty on his plate, and it hasn’t been a good time for him.
“It has been tough for him, but he has been really nice.
“I’ve been consistent from that start that I’m in that man’s camp. I support Ben. I like him, the family and I’m excited about his involvement and his future.
“I just think he is special.
“I’ve known Ben since he was 14 at Box Hill in Melbourne, so there is something in there.”
Goorjian has no doubts the move to the Nets can revive Simmons’ promising NBA career, on and off the court.
“This trade to Brooklyn is just a huge lift for everybody,” he said.
“Ben gets to play again; he is on a talented team with a chance to win a championship and I’m so happy that Patty is at the Nets too.”
Curry court in Sydney
NBA superstar Steph Curry has stepped up his investment Down Under with the first Curry brand court outside of the USA.
The basketball facility in Arncliffe, in Sydney’s inner west, has been transformed into a FIBA approved Curry court.
Curry – a three-time NBA champion and the league’s leading three-pointer in history – is passionate about giving kids access to sport, especially basketball.
As part of its global mission to “Change The Game For Good”, Curry Brand, powered by Under Armour, has proudly forged a partnership in Australia with Charity Bounce, an organisation that exists to inspire change, build resiliency and positive job opportunities for young people at risk, using the power of sport.
Curry is determined to make basketball accessible to everyone, no matter your background.
“Play is a fundamental part of childhood and is critical to development, so much of who I am as a person and a leader today is because of playing sports as a kid,” said Curry, who has previously said he will consider a visit to Australia in the future.
SC30 💧
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 11, 2022
📺 @NBCSAuthenticpic.twitter.com/hK7R2IA96L
“I learned the value of hard work, resilience, teamwork, communication, time management — sports teach young athletes so many critical life skills, which is why I’m passionate about making sure everyone has access to these opportunities, first through my foundation and now through Curry Brand.”
Clubs chasing bigger slice to secure future
There has been an influx of current and former NBA players investing in NBL clubs in recent years, but I’m hearing there is a push for this trend to change.
While having the likes of Dante Exum and John Wall invest in the Australian league is brilliant publicity and promotion, the players’ contribution is often a stake, and the clubs need more to financially secure their futures.
This is particularly the case following the Covid pandemic, which has left every NBL club facing big dollar debt due to lost revenue from crowds and corporates.
Most clubs believe private equity is the future, which would secure club’s futures and allow each team’s overall value on the market to grow rapidly in the next five years.
The Perth Wildcats were sold to the Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) last August for close to 9 million – and I’m hearing some clubs are aiming for figures much higher in the future on the back of basketball’s expected growth in the coming years.
Giddey’s perspective
There is a reason the NBA’s bright lights won’t result in a big head for boom Aussie rookie Josh Giddey – his family.
When Giddey’s father Warrick recently travelled to the US, he didn’t just focus on Josh and his remarkable rookie NBA season.
In fact, Warrick chose to watch Josh’s sister Hannah play her college game with the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles while his star son was playing his NBA game at the same time.
There are no favourites in the Giddey family, with all love shared equally – a quality that helps Josh keep his feet firmly on the ground.
X-RATED 🔞@xaviercooks10 with absolutely no regard for human life.#NBL22 live on @ESPNAusNZ + @kayosportspic.twitter.com/oCpbUQ7e5K
— The NBL (@NBL) February 10, 2022
LIKE:
Xavier Cooks’ epic poster dunk on Phoenix big man Dane Pineau on Thursday night was something else.
Cooks had everyone at John Cain Arena – and at home watching on television – on their feet with his destructive mid-air dunk.
The Sydney Kings swingman has produced a sensational season thus far to prove he belongs in the NBL’s top tier of players.
Cooks has the ability to make the NBA, especially if he can develop a consistent three-point shot, a skill he is working tirelessly on behind the scenes to fulfil his dreams.
DISLIKE:
The critics who thought that Melbourne United would be too old and slow to compete for the championship this season.
Don’t get me wrong, I also had doubts following the losses of Jock Landale (NBA), Mitch McCarron (Adelaide) and Scotty Hopson, but I never doubted United coach Dean Vickerman.
SHOOSH:
Talk about having another NBL team in Asia following on from the now defunct Singapore Slingers won’t go away.
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