Ben Simmons might handle two of the most important weaknesses the Brooklyn Nets had final season. The Australian’s dimension and defensive versatility is almost unmatched within the NBA.
Given Simmons’ well-chronicled offensive struggles, the Nets are constructed to resist these woes with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn, nonetheless, is usually a extra balanced and full staff with what “Huge Ben” can convey to the desk.
Kristian Winfield, on the “The Athletic NBA Present,” defined Simmons’ doable impression this season:
“I believe defensively he’s gonna choose up whoever the very best participant is on the opposite staff, one by 4. That’s gonna give everyone else some confidence in guarding their man.
“For those who’re enjoying towards the Celtics, you don’t have to fret about (Jayson) Tatum as a result of Ben Simmons is mainly Kawhi (Leonard) over there. Then, you possibly can simply focus in your man. That’s actually gonna do some good issues for this staff.”
Ben Simmons says he’s the defensive participant of the 12 months”I’m not even questioning it proper now. I do know I’m. That’s a truth. And numbers, sure stats, are cool with sure gamers. However, on the finish of the day, you recognize.”(By way of GQ.com) https://t.co/LE90YVFXny
Simmons isn’t practically as achieved as Kawhi Leonard, a two-time Defensive Participant of the Yr winner. Simmons, nonetheless, is a perennial member of the All-Defensive staff and is larger with extra size than the LA Clippers celebrity.
A part of the explanation why Durant struggled badly towards the Boston Celtics within the playoffs was his large function on protection. At instances, he needed to defend Jayson Tatum, which took treasured vitality from the four-time scoring champ.
KD typically additionally needed to defend the again rim as a result of Nic Claxton, Blake Griffin and even Andre Drummond weren’t as much as the duty.
Heading into final season, Ben Simmons was named in a survey amongst coaches as the very best defender within the NBA. He was in prime place to win the DPOY for the primary time in his profession earlier than lacking the season.
“Huge Ben” successfully covers gamers throughout all positions, which might plug a number of of Brooklyn’s holes on protection. He’s at all times a menace to win the steals crown and was named by The BBall Index because the fifth-most versatile defender.
The Brooklyn Nets are Ben Simmons at heart
The Athletic’s Alex Schiffer printed a report on how the Brooklyn Nets might make the most of the prized ahead subsequent season. Brooklyn might roll out lineups with Ben Simmons at heart.
Heart might be nominal based mostly on how the Nets line up, however he might be the staff’s level guard. The Denver Nuggets use this on a regular basis with back-to-back and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic being the precise playmaker.
Simmons isn’t practically nearly as good an offensive menace as Jokic, however his studying of the sport, passing and anticipation are elite. On protection, the Nets might use him as a Swiss Military knife to disrupt opposing groups’ sport plans.
The most important and maybe solely downside with the plan is when the Brooklyn Nets face groups with imposing and bruising massive males. Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jokic can be such issues for Brooklyn. Simmons’ fragile again might be at risk of flaring up towards their onslaught.
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