BROOKLYN – For much of the past few seasons, turmoil has engulfed the Brooklyn Nets.
Coach Steve Nash was fired while superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie left for the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks, respectively.
But as the 2023-24 NBA beckons with the arrival of Media Day, there is a bit of really good news.
Ben Simmons, who appeared only in 42 games last season and averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per, is back in good health and good shape.
“I’m playing. I’m back on five-on five, and I’m back on the court playing. I get to do my job and that’s a blessing. Every day, I don’t take it for granted. I just come in here and do my job to the best of my ability. I’m grateful to be back and just on the court playing and doing what I love,” Simmons told reporters at the Nets Media Day.
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Simmons was the No.1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He played four seasons with the Sixers before being traded to the Nets for James Harden last September 2022.
Simmons, 27, dealt with back and mental health issues in the past season. But with him back better than ever, the Nets are equipped to make another postseason run.
BROOKLYN’S BRIDGES
Mikal Bridges, the heir apparent to Duran’t throne as the Nets leading scorer, couldn’t be happier for Simmons.
“He looks good. And that is just a big factor for us, on what we want to be. what we’re trying to get to is him. We’re going to need him. He is a big part of the team,” said Bridges, who averaged a team-high 26.1 points per in his 27 games as a Net last season.
The Nets had a busy offseason acquiring free agents Dennis Smith Jr., Lonny Walkers IV, Darius Bazley and Trendon Watfrod. The Nets also drafted Noah Clowney, Dariq Whitehead and Jalen Wilson.
PHOTOS BY CEDRIC CHAN — SPORTS ON AIR
