Ben Simmons and Joe Harris made their long-awaited returns in the Brooklyn Nets’ preseason opener on Monday night, and while the result didn’t go Brooklyn’s way, there’s reason for optimism.
Simmons played 19 minutes in total, the same as fellow stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. In that time, Simmons scored six points on 3-of-6 shooting, had four rebounds, one steal, two turnovers and a team-high five assists. For the night, Simmons was -10, and was the only Nets starter to not post a positive plus-minus. After building a 16-point lead in the first quarter, the Sixers went on to win, 127-108.
Simmons said after the game he had fun being back on the floor, and can see the potential the Nets have once things begin to click.
“It was fun messing up because I know how good we can be”
– Ben Simmons on operating in the Nets’ offense pic.twitter.com/dMBR9Qss2u
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) October 4, 2022
Here’s what NBA fans and analysts had to say about Simmons’ return to the court:
Ben Simmons you better not let them change you … after I seen that center dunk you did tonight you looking like a big man get yo smoothness back
— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) October 4, 2022
Might be a key development for the Nets to have Ben Simmons out there running point. Allows Kyrie and KD to move off the ball. “Wide” action for Kyrie (a screen set at the top of the key for someone to go toward the ball). Kyrie curls, draws two, Claxton rolls and gets the dunk. pic.twitter.com/L06SIV1nQf
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) October 4, 2022
Kyrie Irving discusses Ben Simmons’ return to the court and integrating him into the Brooklyn offense:
“I was telling him at halftime, ‘when you’re playing with some high-level players, despite what you heard, we’re going to make the game easy for you” pic.twitter.com/JT3Ihi3nLV
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) October 4, 2022
Ben Simmons was great yesterday for a guy who hasn’t played in a competitive setting that long. There’s going to be some timing issues to work though, a given. The instincts are there and you see how beautiful it can be when he gets that ball swinging. Resurgence upcoming
— Brooklynsbeat (@brooklynsbeat) October 4, 2022
Tyrese Maxey has been far and away the best player on the floor tonight in a game that includes Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben…
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