Ben Simmons hasn't appeared on an NBA court in over a year. Within the upcoming weeks, that will alter.
He first discussed what transpired on the historic dunk he passed out of in Game 7 over the Hawks in 2021, a move Joel Embiid said turned the game, with JJ Redick on the "Old Man and the Three" podcast.
"I just spun, so I'm assuming Trae Young will arrive sooner. Since I didn't realise how much room there was, I assumed that he would arrive fast when I saw Matisse Thybulle moving. Matisse is athletic and gets to his feet, so I assumed that he would flush it. You could only make a short read because it happened so rapidly. Additionally, you must frequently choose the appropriate course of action during the playoffs. for that instant. When it actually happened, I thought, "Okay, f***, now we have to go create another play."
Then Simmons took responsibility for how horrible it appeared in the replay (although he omitted to mention that it appeared as if the player was trying not to be fouled due to his struggles at the foul line).
Yes, it was awful. I was thinking, "Man, punch that s***," but now that I think about it, it never materialised. I could deal with it, and I was fine. Everyone is attempting to kill me over a single play, really.
In the podcast, Simmons talked openly about a variety of topics, including the day coach Doc Rivers sent him home from practice.
"I simply wasn't in the mood to play there. Like, I just wasn't able to do it. And you're being expelled from the practice because you talked to Doc Rivers before to the game that day. "Doc, I'm not ready," I said. I'm not ready mentally, if that's okay. Just have it in mind. I attempted to inform him beforehand. After that, he says, "Well, I'm going to put you in any manner." And he instructed me to enter. I gave him a look. It had just been a minute of practice. such as "you get in." First of all, you're doing this on purpose; no one else is doing that, I say. I thought, "Okay, so it appears like everyone is just trying to f*** me now.
And how the rumours that he lacked a solid jump shot crept into his mind.
"This started building up and I was like, 'They're saying I can't. I didn't really realise it early in my career. Why shouldn't I? Now I'm f****** lost... It seriously screwed me over. But in a position where I'm just like, "F*** it, it's basketball," I kind of found peace.
When the Brooklyn Nets report to training camp the following week, there are a lot of things they must address, including Simmons' level of play and physical condition. This club is a title threat if everything works out, but there are many unanswered questions, with Simmons being a major one.
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