(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets have Ben Simmons back on the floor, and that could be huge for their aspirations.
Simmons has been far from the star most scouts thought he’d be, and while injuries have had plenty to do with that, his lack of aggressiveness as a scorer has also been a recurring talking point.
That was evident in his return to official action in the Nets’ season opener vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The former Philadelphia 76ers star finished the game with four points, ten rebounds, nine assists, and one block.
Needless to say, the fans had plenty to say about that, and most of them were far from impressed with that performance.
As long as Nets have Cam Thomas, mikael bridges, Dinwiddie, and them role players.
Ben Simmons doesn’t need to score.
— (@XKingxGrizzlyX7) October 26, 2023
Bootleg Michael Carter-Williams
— Joseph D. Fisher (@josephdfisher) October 26, 2023
Stat line would’ve been nasty w at least 9+ points lol
— BEARS OWN VIKINGS (@IshJitSu) October 26, 2023
He had 4 points and they lost by 1. Bro only needed 6 points to win lmao send him to China asap
— Alex Wiley (@Alex_Wiley) October 26, 2023
All that offseason & preseason footage shooting fadeaways…4pts
— John Handem Piette (@JohnHPiette) October 26, 2023
Of course, some players’ impact goes beyond the stat sheet, and Simmons’ defense could end up being a huge factor for Jacque Vaughn’s team.
Also, having an elite playmaker like him could open up plenty of lanes for this team, but the four points are far from encouraging.
Simmons has reached a point in which he’s not even driving through the lane because he doesn’t want to get fouled.
He doesn’t take three-pointers, either, becoming a non-factor on the perimeter.
Not all players need to do everything, but he’s not even looking at the rim, and that obviously affects the way he’s guarded — or not.
Still, it’s just one game, and Simmons has vowed to go back to his borderline All-Star level, so let’s hope he’s able to build from this performance and gets better later in the season.
The post Fans React To Ben Simmons’ Opening Night Performance appeared first on The Cold Wire.