Ben Simmons fills up on confidence before returning to Philadelphia

” That’s what I expect from Ben. So I’m not going to get excited when he plays well. “Kevin Durant will not say it but we imagine that this kind of performance coming from Ben Simmons is not to displease him.

Last night, against the very diminished Grizzlies, the Australian signed his best game since wearing the Nets jersey: 22 points (at 11/13 on shots), 8 rebounds and 5 assists, but 5 lost balls . ” I know what I’m capable of, I’m not surprised “, also relativizes the left-hander after the meeting.

Its good outing confirms its good form at the moment. After his 11 points posted in a heavy defeat on the floor of the Kings, he had chained with 15 points at 100%, 13 rebounds and 7 assists in Portland. The explanation according to him? His desire to focus on the game and close his eyes to the media discourse.

” If I start reading everything that’s being said and it goes to my head, it’s not good for me. So I just want to stay focused, take it day by day. Just keep building on the good days and staying in it “, he displays.

That feeling of seeing him play free of that pressure was noticeable last night. With Kyrie Irving returning from suspension combined with the absence of Nic Claxton, he was used as a pivot against Steven Adams. The latter, like others before him, left plenty of space for the Australian to better protect his racquet. Ben Simmons did not hesitate to attack him frontally. He scored his first basket on a right hand “hook” after working with his back to the circle facing the opposite pivot.

” I think you immediately saw the strength he was playing, whether it was his pace or the way he attacked the circle, it was a relentless attack. It will be difficult for our opponents to defend with the pace he created for us tonight », judge Jacque Vaughn.

Ready for his return to Philadelphia

We will see what will happen tomorrow when the Nets move to the floor, well known by Ben Simmons, of the Sixers. The Australian will return for the first time on the ground of the Wells Fargo Center as an opponent. Last year, he was only present in civilian clothes, after the transfer for James Harden. ” I am ready to play. Something special going on? “Pretends to wonder, with a big smile, the Nets player in reference to this next game.

Then a journalist asks him if enough time has passed for the reception given by the locals not to be as bad as the last time. What provoke the incredulous look of the person concerned even before the end of the question. ” In Philly? I know what awaits me. It’s part of the game. Philadelphia fans are amazing. They are hardcore fans. I respect that in this town “, Displays the former teammate of Joel Embiid, evoking a “ unique experience to play there.

He who should defend on the Cameroonian, in addition to probably sending “ four guys around, recalls that he was only 18 when he arrived in Pennsylvania. ” So it’s really the only place I’ve lived as an adult. So I have a lot of love for this city. People don’t know it, but a lot of my best friends are from there. My brother still lives in Philadelphia. So whatever the situation, whatever happened happened, I still have a lot of love for this city, so I can’t wait to get out there and play. »