Ben Simmons: 'I'm going to be better than I was'
Simmons sat down with The Post and said he’s not going to be as good as he was when he made three straight All-Star Games. He insists he can be better. “I’m going to be better than I was,” Simmons said. “My job is just to show up, perform, work my ass off and lead this team the right way. So it’s doing all the little things, and everything else takes care of itself.”
Source: Brian Lewis @ New York Post
Source: Brian Lewis @ New York Post
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Sat down with Ben Simmons, who vows he’ll be ‘better than I was’ before #Nets injury. #nba nypost.com/2023/10/19/ben… via @nypostsports – 8:39 PM
Sat down with Ben Simmons, who vows he’ll be ‘better than I was’ before #Nets injury. #nba nypost.com/2023/10/19/ben… via @nypostsports – 8:39 PM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Ben Simmons is seeking to make a national team return for Paris 2024 Olympics
🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/7G85uV3A4i – 4:09 AM
Ben Simmons is seeking to make a national team return for Paris 2024 Olympics
🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/7G85uV3A4i – 4:09 AM
Evan Barnes @evan_b
More Nets’ stats from tonight’s win.
Ben Simmons had just 2 points on 0-4 shooting but had 8 rebs/7 assists
Bridges and Finney-Smith each had 11 points
Cam Thomas had 14 points.
The Nets’ defense looked a lot better tonight in stretches. Now the games count. – 10:09 PM
More Nets’ stats from tonight’s win.
Ben Simmons had just 2 points on 0-4 shooting but had 8 rebs/7 assists
Bridges and Finney-Smith each had 11 points
Cam Thomas had 14 points.
The Nets’ defense looked a lot better tonight in stretches. Now the games count. – 10:09 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Nets vs Heat sneaker highlights:
• Mikal Bridges – Sabrina 1
• Duncan Robinson – Kobe 6 PE
• Ben Simmons – GT Hustle
• Jamal Cain – Kobe 9 Low pic.twitter.com/zUCep2RW3c – 10:07 PM
Nets vs Heat sneaker highlights:
• Mikal Bridges – Sabrina 1
• Duncan Robinson – Kobe 6 PE
• Ben Simmons – GT Hustle
• Jamal Cain – Kobe 9 Low pic.twitter.com/zUCep2RW3c – 10:07 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Haywood Highsmith has taken turns guarding both Ben Simmons and Mikal Bridges. Forced both to miss contested jumpers. – 7:46 PM
Haywood Highsmith has taken turns guarding both Ben Simmons and Mikal Bridges. Forced both to miss contested jumpers. – 7:46 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Not sure you’ve ever seen a Ben Simmons workout video so here’s one. pic.twitter.com/l0r8gPQXy1 – 6:22 PM
Not sure you’ve ever seen a Ben Simmons workout video so here’s one. pic.twitter.com/l0r8gPQXy1 – 6:22 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
For the crowd convinced that All-Star Ben Simmons is back because of a couple of preseason games and practice video…The oddsmakers are not convinced. Over/unders from sportsbetting.ag … pic.twitter.com/rejxWhX8Zz – 5:12 PM
For the crowd convinced that All-Star Ben Simmons is back because of a couple of preseason games and practice video…The oddsmakers are not convinced. Over/unders from sportsbetting.ag … pic.twitter.com/rejxWhX8Zz – 5:12 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Nets: Ben Simmons details bold All-Star desires after flashing improved health in preseason clutchpoints.com/nets-news-ben-… – 2:35 PM
Nets: Ben Simmons details bold All-Star desires after flashing improved health in preseason clutchpoints.com/nets-news-ben-… – 2:35 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
Fadeaways, diving on the floor, no-look dimes, lockdown defense. Ben Simmons’s preseason mixtape is unbelievable.
Can he return to his All-Star form?
📼: youtu.be/HKTFNi14I3c pic.twitter.com/rCJb9RagCA – 1:33 PM
Fadeaways, diving on the floor, no-look dimes, lockdown defense. Ben Simmons’s preseason mixtape is unbelievable.
Can he return to his All-Star form?
📼: youtu.be/HKTFNi14I3c pic.twitter.com/rCJb9RagCA – 1:33 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Ben Simmons said he plans to play for Australia in the Olympics next summer:
“Let’s get through the season healthy and play in the Olympics. That’s just going to be insane for me. I’m going for a medal, but just having that experience and to be able to represent my country,… – 10:04 AM
Ben Simmons said he plans to play for Australia in the Olympics next summer:
“Let’s get through the season healthy and play in the Olympics. That’s just going to be insane for me. I’m going for a medal, but just having that experience and to be able to represent my country,… – 10:04 AM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
🚨 New episode of Bleav in Nets 🚨
I broke down Brooklyn’s offensive struggles during a loss to the 76ers, detailing the 3 key coaching points to make the Ben Simmons-Nic Claxton offensive pairing work.
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ble…
YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=VkVa4n… – 9:15 AM
🚨 New episode of Bleav in Nets 🚨
I broke down Brooklyn’s offensive struggles during a loss to the 76ers, detailing the 3 key coaching points to make the Ben Simmons-Nic Claxton offensive pairing work.
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ble…
YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=VkVa4n… – 9:15 AM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @njdotcom
Nets’ Ben Simmons on return from injury: ‘I want to be better than an All-Star’ nj.com/sports/2023/10… – 7:57 AM
Now on @njdotcom
Nets’ Ben Simmons on return from injury: ‘I want to be better than an All-Star’ nj.com/sports/2023/10… – 7:57 AM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Nets: Jacque Vaughn reveals key coaching point to unlock Ben Simmons-Nic Claxton offensive pairing clutchpoints.com/nets-news-jacq… – 8:16 PM
Nets: Jacque Vaughn reveals key coaching point to unlock Ben Simmons-Nic Claxton offensive pairing clutchpoints.com/nets-news-jacq… – 8:16 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Ben Simmons and I discussed the improvements Tyrese Maxey has made on the floor #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 7:19 PM
Ben Simmons and I discussed the improvements Tyrese Maxey has made on the floor #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 7:19 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I really want to see him succeed”
🔊 @adaniels33 is rooting for Ben Simmons this season #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/Q6nzaNm2Gb – 4:15 PM
“I really want to see him succeed”
🔊 @adaniels33 is rooting for Ben Simmons this season #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/Q6nzaNm2Gb – 4:15 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Defender distance tracking is a good tool to assess 3-point shooters, and it’s one that shows how vital Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson will be to floor-spacing in lineups featuring Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton.
During their last full season in PHX (21-22):
Johnson:
-3-point… – 2:36 PM
Defender distance tracking is a good tool to assess 3-point shooters, and it’s one that shows how vital Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson will be to floor-spacing in lineups featuring Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton.
During their last full season in PHX (21-22):
Johnson:
-3-point… – 2:36 PM
Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
It’s only preseason so it’s not worth the overreaction but…
Ben Simmons looks healthier, spry. Gets the ball up faster and still has good court vision. My concern is his aggression near the rim — saw him turn to the righty hook twice instead of going up strong against Tobias. – 12:59 PM
It’s only preseason so it’s not worth the overreaction but…
Ben Simmons looks healthier, spry. Gets the ball up faster and still has good court vision. My concern is his aggression near the rim — saw him turn to the righty hook twice instead of going up strong against Tobias. – 12:59 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
🚨New Mismatch with @ChrisVernonShow🚨
My story on the Nuggets
Teams with too much overlap
📈Lakers depth + AD
Ben Simmons resurgence
🤔Clippers make Mann “untouchable”
🚀Jabari Smith’s rise
🏀We’ll be back again on Friday with our annual Semi-Bold Predictions… – 10:39 AM
🚨New Mismatch with @ChrisVernonShow🚨
My story on the NuggetsTeams with too much overlap📈Lakers depth + AD
Ben Simmons resurgence🤔Clippers make Mann “untouchable”
🚀Jabari Smith’s rise
🏀We’ll be back again on Friday with our annual Semi-Bold Predictions… – 10:39 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Ben Simmons is looking a lot like he did in first All-Star season 👀 pic.twitter.com/GwMBVDls9f – 10:26 AM
Ben Simmons is looking a lot like he did in first All-Star season 👀 pic.twitter.com/GwMBVDls9f – 10:26 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
“The sky’s the limit for him, but with everything going on in terms of like Philly, he’s getting an opportunity to play point guard and run the team and continue to build…”
Ben Simmons is impressed with Tyrese Maxey #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 9:04 AM
“The sky’s the limit for him, but with everything going on in terms of like Philly, he’s getting an opportunity to play point guard and run the team and continue to build…”
Ben Simmons is impressed with Tyrese Maxey #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 9:04 AM
More on this storyline
“I was pushing through that, so I’m not really worried about the slander,” Simmons said. “Obviously, it gets frustrating when you’ve got to listen to it all the time, when you’re not able to play your best and you’re playing injured. That’s part of it. “At the same time, I’m one of those guys who wants to come out and perform and show I can do what I love to do at a high level. So I’m enjoying just being out here, putting on the show and trying to get better with these guys.” -via New York Post / October 20, 2023
Therefore, it’s time for Tyrese Maxey to take over the point guard spot just as he did two years ago during the Ben Simmons situation. Entering his fourth season in the league, he feels more prepared now compared to the Simmons situation. “Way different,” Maxey beamed. “It’s no comparison, honestly, because at that time, I just wasn’t prepared for it. I was prepared basketball-wise, but mentally, I was not prepared for what it came with. It came with a responsibility of — I was just trying to maintain, honestly. I wasn’t myself at the beginning of the season.” -via Sixers Wire / October 19, 2023
Still, it’s easy to imagine the past few years haven’t been without their challenges. But while Simmons acknowledges his injuries have “played a toll on [his] mental for sure”, he says his love of the sport never wavered. “I’m very appreciative of the game of basketball because it’s brought me here and given me and my family a lot… The love of the game is always going to be there because that’s where I get to be me; I get to create, I get to be an artist. Besides Call of Duty and other things like that, this is where I get to do my fun stuff. I get to be creative, I get to mess up, I get to do things that other people can’t do. And I think people take that for granted. There’s certain things I can do on the court that some NBA players can’t do. And I’m grateful for that because that’s a blessing that I have.” -via Esquire / October 18, 2023