BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — For the ninth straight recreation, Ben Simmons completed with out making an attempt a single free throw. He has now solely made one foul shot in one of many eleven video games he has performed this season.
When Jordi Fernández was requested about Simmons’ aversion to attending to the road earlier than the Nets recreation. NBA Cup Within the recreation in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn’s head coach hesitated: “He is in all probability excellent at avoiding fouls.” I do not know… He is an awesome playmaker. He makes us play quick. He had – I feel it was in New Orleans – he had 10 assists within the first half. So in case you’re so good [at] Kicking the ball up entrance and discovering your teammates in transition can typically make it troublesome to seek out your self dribbling into the group.
However though Simmons as soon as once more made no journey to the charity sector within the Nets’ subsequent recreation, earnhe undoubtedly had his greatest match of the season. On the field rating, there was little doubt, with a season file of 10 factors and contributions within the columns of rebounds (9) and assists (5). On the bottom – the attention check, if you’ll – there was, on the very least, an uptick in aggression.
When this occurred is simple to find out. With about 9 and a half minutes left within the third quarter, Simmons sped into the lane and threw down an enormous dunk to provide the Nets a three-point lead. On his manner again onto the court docket, he exchanged blows and phrases with Hornets guard Brandon Miller, who did not draw back from the three-time All-Star.
Ben Simmons/Brandon Miller pic.twitter.com/newQe8oJeP
— ◇ (@HOODH3RO) November 20, 2024
Issues went downhill from there. Miller scored on Simmons on a possession that occurred shortly after. Moments later, the 2 acquired strategies.
“I used to be very proud of the way in which he took to the bodily aspect of racing and ending,” Fernández mentioned. “I even had a number of occasions [where] the gamers received concerned, however I feel that is a part of the sport. That dedication is what I need to see from my guys.
The Nets playmaker didn’t falter; as a substitute, he responded with one among his most assertive sequences of the season. When Simmons returned to the sport within the fourth, this two-minute sequence adopted: a steal, then a circus layup off an offensive rebound and eventually a lob to increase Brooklyn’s lead.
“Ben got here out with slightly little bit of power…He was nice tonight,” Nets ahead Trendon Watford mentioned after his staff’s victory. Brooklyn rallied to inside 17 factors in opposition to Charlotte.
Cam Johnson, who scored his highest complete in a Nets uniform with 34 factors, echoed his teammate: “We’re not going to again down from anybody. You suppose again to the Knicks recreation, the primary one, and say[rian Finney-Smith] and O.G. [Anunoby] I walked in a single slightly bitthat is what pushed us to actually change issues. We’re not right here to combat and be silly, however we cannot again down from anybody.
Fernández has needed Simmons to extend his scoring engine all season. In October, the 41-year-old head coach talked about need Simmons to make 10-15 area aim makes an attempt per recreation.
He reiterated it on Tuesday: “As I mentioned earlier than, I need [Simmons] being aggressive and attempting extra pictures, in order that’s my aim proper now, to extend… his makes an attempt. However I am not frightened about free throws. It is like one step at a time. In all probability, if he makes an attempt extra pictures, perhaps he’ll be fouled extra.
Subsequent up, the Nets are again in NBA Cup motion once they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. The common season returns this Sunday with a three-game West Coast stretch that begins in opposition to the Sacramento Kings.
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