Kevin Durant Urges Ben Simmons to Be Aggressive

Kevin Durant Urges Ben Simmons to Be Aggressive Very much like the Philadelphia 76ers did, the Brooklyn Nets maintain that Ben Simmons should be forceful. Customarily the greatest defect in Simmons’ down is his tentativeness, much more so than his absence of an external shot. While his external shot is as yet nonexistent, his size advantage makes confounds that Brooklyn believes him should assault. On account of Simmons, more animosity and emphaticness doesn’t need to mean more leap shots.

When asked how to make Simmons more confident, Kevin Durant told reporters, “Trust in him, pass him the ball, tell him be aggressive… I’m not here to babysit anybody. Ben knows that. If he’s got a time to be aggressive, go be aggressive. Who gives a shit if you miss it? We like you being aggressive.”

Durant and the Nets comprehend that it will be Simmons who at last decides the degree of animosity he plays with, and they can push him up to this point. The group can encourage him to be forceful, however that choice is one that Simmons needs to make all alone. Assuming that he does, it ought to open more hostile opportunities for a Nets group with a few weapons on that side of the ball.

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant made it clear he’s here to support new teammate Ben Simmons as he returns from a yearlong absence, but there will be no coddling of the three-time All-Star.

“Trust in him, pass him the ball, tell him be aggressive…(But) I’m not here to babysit anybody,” Durant told reporters Tuesday when asked about building Simmons’ confidence. “Ben knows that. If he’s got a time to be aggressive go be aggressive. Who gives a s–t if you miss it? We like you being aggressive.”

Simmons missed the whole 2021-22 season because of a blend of a holdout from the Philadelphia 76ers and a back physical issue after his exchange to the Nets. He refered to emotional wellness issues for his refusal to play for the Sixers in the wake of being pilloried by fans for his awful exhibition in Philadelphia’s 2021 Eastern Meeting elimination rounds misfortune to the Atlanta Falcons.

Despite having three All-Star appearances, two All-Defensive selections and one All-NBA Team on his resume, Simmons is one of the league’s most consistently criticized players. Fans and pundits alike have ridiculed him for his lack of shooting touch and a seeming unwillingness to stretch beyond his comfort zone in games.

The Nets have tried to quell criticism by saying they’re not expecting Simmons to play anything other than his game.

“I don’t care if he ever shoots a jump shot for the Brooklyn Nets. He’s welcome to, but that is not what makes him special and not what we need,” Nets coach Steve Nash told reporters last month. “He’s a great complement to our team, and he’s an incredible basketball player because of his versatility.”

Indeed, even without a shooting presence, Simmons is one of the NBA’s most extraordinary stars. He’s a 6’10” point watch who has world class passing abilities in the open court, brilliant ability to complete close to the edge and the capacity of guarding each of the five situations on the floor with his length. There is not any more adaptable safeguard in ball than Simmons when solid.

That said, it’ll be curious to see what type of player the Nets get from a physical and mental standpoint after a lost 2021-22 season.