The Nets have witnessed one thing new this coaching camp: a wholesome Ben Simmons.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t initially identified that it was new till the purpose guard stated Friday that he did not really feel “one hundred pc” arriving at coaching camp a 12 months in the past.
The Nets star was regarded as wholesome earlier than struggling a again damage after enjoying the primary 5 video games of the season.
That continued to be an issue, together with knee points, and Simmons missed 67 of the Nets’ 82 video games.
From reporters after apply, it seems Simmons began the season with one other herniated disc, and the repeated damage problems with the 2023 season may have been averted.
“I really feel bodily able to play at a excessive degree,” Simmons stated of feeling completely different heading into coaching camp forward of the 2024-25 season. “Final 12 months I acquired to the purpose the place I used to be adequate to get on the sphere, however I wasn’t one hundred pc, which was the state of affairs – it was – however on the finish of account, I’m right here now, and that is the state of affairs I really feel good and I put a whole lot of time and work into it.
“I used to be enjoying with one other herniated disc, in order that was in all probability an enormous motive,” he added of his modified rehab course of in comparison with final 12 months. “That is my second surgical procedure in a couple of years. Identical state of affairs, completely different space within the again, however I am cleared now and feeling good and able to go.
Simmons did not admit to feeling any strain to play this 12 months, however there gave the impression to be a rushed course of final 12 months to assist out on the sphere.
“I wish to compete and assist my teammates win. In positions like that, clearly you wish to do what you’ll be able to and get what you get, and that is what I did final 12 months,” he stated. “Whether or not I used to be wholesome or not, I attempted to do what I may for the staff whereas I had the chance to play.”
A former rookie of the 12 months, Simmons was enjoying on a five-year, $177 million contract signed in 2020 with the 76ers when he was acquired by the Nets – together with Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks – in alternate. for James Harden and Paul Millsap in February 2022.
He was counted on to be a part of a Huge Three alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to win a championship.
Nonetheless, his accidents took priority over the narrative of his pricey Nets profession.
Simmons has missed 189 of 246 video games over the previous three seasons attributable to nerve impingements in his again that led to 2 microscopic partial discectomies, the final one final March.
Within the 57 video games he has performed out of the Nets’ 191 video games since he was added to the roster, Simmons could have acquired $86. 3 million with a mean of solely 6.7 factors.
Now wholesome and with some huge cash spent, the Nets hope to lastly increase his classic three-time All-Star from his days in Philadelphia which noticed him common 15.9 factors, 7.7 assists and eight.1 rebounds .
“I really feel wonderful,” Simmons stated. “Bodily, I really feel good. I am able to go.
Coming into a brand new scene with out Durant and Irving or Mikal Bridges – one of the best participant within the deal that despatched Durant to Phoenix that was dealt this summer time to the Knicks – Simmons can be given, alongside Nic Claxton, a heavy load to a staff in a rebuilding 12 months.
Over the previous two seasons, the Nets have gone 31-26 with Simmons on the court docket and 46-61 with out him.
Staying wholesome can be paramount for Simmons to a constructive Nets season and his future, as he’ll earn $40.3 million within the remaining 12 months of his contract earlier than hitting unrestricted free company on subsequent summer time.
“You may’t do issues on the basketball court docket in case your physique isn’t prepared, you realize? It’s fairly easy,” Simmons stated. “You’re not going to go down a hill, leap right into a 7-foot man; it simply would not make sense. However I really feel good now. I am studying to belief my physique increasingly with the reps I get. So, that is good.
