It's almost as much a habit as the classic phrases about losing or gaining muscle, about the desire to shoot and defend better. Every summer, players always announce the same things, and every offseason for several seasons, we hear that Ben Simmons returned to 100% physically.
But then, when the season starts, the player is embarrassed by his body again. He joined the infirmary very early, then did not return, finally going through the operation box… This was the case in March, with a second stint on the pool table in two years.
“From what we have seen so far, Ben Simmons will be ready for training camp and, for us, that is great news”, declares Brooklyn GMSean Marks. “He can't wait to be on the field, to contribute. Therefore, it is an important year for him, as it is for us. »
Health above all
This is the last of his contract and it is financially heavy for the franchise: 40 million dollars! This is huge for a player who has only played 57 matches out of a possible 190 since his arrival in Brooklyn…
“He will be ready for training camp”also confirms Jordi Fernandez. “But he will have the same treatment as the others. We will do training, evaluate everyone and we will make decisions. It's exciting to have him on the floor from day one. »
If he wishes to continue his career after 2025, the playmaker therefore has every interest in having a good season, at least reassuring on a physical level. And if the Nets want to avoid a long and painful exercise, finding the former Philadelphia All-Star would be good news.
“When we think about a healthy Ben Simmons… The most important thing for him, our priority, is his health,” says his coach. “He’s a very good player. In good health, he can do lots of things to help us have good shots. We want to play quickly and he is one of the best creators for that, from the rebound. He is physically imposing, he can go in the racket and offer shots, go to the circle. If you want to play fast, Ben fits perfectly with that. »
| Ben Simmons | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 81 | 34 | 54.5 | 0.0 | 56.0 | 1.8 | 6.4 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 15.8 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 79 | 34 | 56.3 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 2.2 | 6.7 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 16.9 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 57 | 35 | 58.0 | 28.6 | 62.1 | 2.0 | 5.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 16.4 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 58 | 32 | 55.7 | 30.0 | 61.3 | 1.6 | 5.6 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 14.3 |
| 2022-23 | BRK | 42 | 26 | 56.6 | 0.0 | 43.9 | 1.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 6.1 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 6.9 |
| 2023-24 | BRK | 15 | 24 | 58.1 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 2.1 | 5.9 | 7.9 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 6.1 |
| Total | 332 | 33 | 56.0 | 13.9 | 58.9 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 14.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
