Fit Ben Simmons eyes opening night NBA return as he looks to remind people how good he can be

Ben Simmons has declared he’s fully recovered from the serious back surgery that almost derailed his career, and he’s ready to remind his detractors of just what he can do.

Ben Simmons has declared himself fit. Picture: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Ben Simmons has declared he’s fully recovered from the serious back surgery that almost derailed his career and he’s good to go for Brooklyn Nets’ training camp as he eyes an opening night return — 240 days after he was shut down.

And, as the Australian-born star revealed he contemplated giving up in his darkest moments, NBA legend Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith says the 28-year-old remains a unique, if not-fully-realised talent who can be an All-Star again.

“Once he’s on the floor, there’s not many guys at that size (208cm) that can handle a ball like that and have speed and athleticism and get into the lane,” Smith, the Inside the NBA personality and NBL Next Stars ambassador for North America, told Code Sports.

“When he was healthy, from the three-point line-in, he was an All-Star.

“But, when you don’t play, you don’t have the reps, so then you’re not even great in the areas that you’re really great in — You’re just average.

“Ben just has to play. He has to be healthy.

“It’s like if a quarterback only throws the ball three times a game.

“We don’t know if you can throw it or not but, once he’s in the system and he’s throwing a ball on a consistent basis, he’s going to be up and about.”

Ben Simmons has put in the work over the offseason. Picture: Michelle Farsi/Getty Images

In March, Simmons had a microscopic partial discectomy to alleviate a pinched nerve in his lower back that had plagued his career in recent years.

Since his draft year in 2016, Simmons has played in 332 regular season games and missed 324 through various injuries, twice sitting out an entire 82-game season.

He’s copped plenty of criticism from fans, the media and former teammates, some of it warranted, much of it undeserved.

There were moments during his latest battle Simmons wondered if his broken body would ever be able to again scale the lofty heights he’d once reached.

“There were nights where it was just so hard for me to get out of bed and get into the gym, knowing physically I was broken down,” Simmons said.

But an internal warrior spirit spurred his fight to rebuild his body and mind.

“There’s something in me,” he said.

“It’s just something that I just want to play this game at a high level and I’m a competitor and if that (wasn’t) the case I would have stopped.

“I’m here again, ready to go, I’m excited.”

Ben Simmons is eyeing an opening night return after missing 240 days of basketball. Picture: Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

Simmons believes many have forgotten the abilities that made him a Rookie of the Year and two-time NBA All Star.

“I think people forget me as a player, when I’m healthy, I could play basketball, I’m pretty good right?” Simmons said at Nets media day.

“So, for me, it’s just being consistent with that and staying on top of my body and just getting better every day and staying in the gym.”

Simmons opened up on the mental and physical challenges he faced during his long rehab process.

“(After the surgery) I wasn’t moving at all … the first couple weeks, just letting it heal and then it was intense rehab every day. I was down in Miami rehabbing (and) part of that was a little bit of fishing, some mental breaks,” Simmons said.

“It’s frustrating because the expectation for myself is to help this team win and compete at the highest level so physically knowing I can’t do that is super frustrating.

“I take it day-by-day. I got my surgery, been very consistent with the rehab and basketball, so I’m in a good place.”

Simmons said he’s learned to switch off from the incessant criticism.

Ben Simmons with his trophy for Rookie of the Year in 2017-18. Picture: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

“It’s tough but, over time, I’ve learnt the media isn’t always correct and people will say what they want in the media, some will choose to believe it, some know the truth,” he said.

“At the end of the day, this is my dream to play in the NBA and play at a high level and compete, it’s all I’ve wanted to do.”

He believes he can be a dominant force in the NBA again.

“I feel like I see the game differently, for me I feel like my IQ plays a huge role in that and I’m able to get my guys going, get them open shots and dictate the pace of the game,” he said.

“Just staying healthy and everything else will handle itself.”

Simmons is set to take those first steps back next Wednesday when the Nets visit the LA Clippers for their pre-season tip off.

Meanwhile Aussie centre Thon Maker has secured an opportunity to return to the NBA, signing a contract to join Houston Rocketsfor the upcoming season. Maker, who has played 263 NBA games across five seasons while playing for the Bucks, Detroit and Cleveland, has spent thepast three years in Jerusalem, the G League, China and Lebanon.

Originally published as Fit Ben Simmons eyes opening night NBA return as he looks to remind people how good he can be