Convincing winners of Wolves in Minneapolis last night, for their last game of the preseason, the Nets could not count on long Ben Simmons.
The match of the Australian leader was indeed cut short because of faults: he committed 6 in 13 minutes! The quickest expulsion of his career, according to ESPN.
” I told him: ‘You just have to go directly on the warm-up bike to work on your cardio, it will be better’. But I don’t think he was ready for the joke at the time » declared an amused Steve Nash.
Disillusioned by certain whistles of the refereeing body, which he considered a little fast, the former 76ers player, who had time in 13 minutes to compile 2 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists, also preferred to laugh. After all, serious things haven’t started yet.
” Of course, I probably wouldn’t have laughed if it was the regular season. But hey, it’s preseason. […] It does not matter. As much as I use these mistakes in the end, since I try to be as physical as possible in defense, to set the tone for the rest of my team. ” did he declare.
This is indeed what Ben Simmons regretted: that the referees prevented him from playing physical. In particular against Karl-Anthony Towns, his vis-à-vis during his short stint on the floor. But the Australian also understands that the refereeing body, like the players, is also in preseason and adjusts according to opposition.
” I was talking about it with the referees, and of course they have to adjust. One night it’s a hyper physical game against the Bucks, another night it’s against the Wolves, and it’s not as physical. So it’s less obvious for the referees to be lenient he added.
Despite this shortened and frustrating last outing, Ben Simmons has had a reassuring preseason, averaging 5.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists across the Nets’ first three games.
