Ben Simmons has but to take the courtroom for the Clippers, however after his first full follow with the workforce, he appears to be like contemporary and rejuvenated. Either side are relying on a change of surroundings to assist him rediscover his All-Star kind.
Simmons is coming off a turbulent 2½ seasons with the Brooklyn Nets marked by accidents, unfulfilled expectations and criticisms. Now, he’s seeking to transfer previous these struggles and contribute to a Clippers workforce that holds the No. 6 seed within the Western Convention simply days earlier than the All-Star break.
“I just want to compete, regardless of all the bulls— said online,” Simmons mentioned. “I’m here to do that, and playing alongside some of these great players… Everyone’s just going to push each other to be better and expect greatness.”
The Clippers (29-23) are rolling the cube on the oft-maligned Simmons, who sees the transfer as a snug match. He joins a veteran squad led by Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, and James Harden — whom he was traded for on the 2022 deadline, sending him to Brooklyn and Harden to Philadelphia.
Making the choice to come back right here, I felt wished,” Simmons mentioned. “That’s something you want to feel when you go to work.”
Simmons has welcomed the transfer to L.A., which he anticipated due to his longtime relationship with Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. The 2 almost linked in Philadelphia when Lue was a earlier teaching candidate, and their relationship goes even additional again to when Simmons was with Klutch Sports activities, which represents Lue.
Simmons had a number of suitors after being launched by the Nets and mentioned conversations with Lue and the franchise’s honesty about his function finally attracted him to L.A.
“Everyone was just very transparent,” Simmons mentioned. “They know what I’m capable of and what they expect from me. I’m willing to give that and ready to go.”
Simmons’ fast function is to come back off the bench as the purpose guard for the second unit. His principal focus can be pushing the ball and offering a defensive presence, bolstering one of many NBA’s prime two defenses and creating robust matchups because the workforce enters the second half.
“I spoke to a few different teams, that was the first thing they [the Clippers] said to me, ‘We see point guard,’” Simmons mentioned. “That’s my position… I want to get my guys going, get them easy buckets, control the pace. And then, on the defensive end, I want to be a dog.”
Simmons has performed in 33 of the Nets’ 52 video games, beginning 24. He’s averaging 6.2 factors, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists over 25.4 minutes per recreation.
Lue acknowledges it’ll take time to determine the place Simmons matches within the scheme, saying, “You have a point guard who can play both center and point, so it depends on which unit he’s with.” There may be an expectation that there can be a studying curve as Simmons integrates into the rotation and will get a really feel for a way the Clippers need the second unit to play.
Clippers guard Ben Simmons lofts a left-handed shot throughout follow on Tuesday at Intuit Dome.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)
He’s one among a number of newly acquired gamers, becoming a member of others added across the commerce deadline. Lue believes the group excels at serving to gamers alter to a brand new setting, providing them a much-needed reset.
“Giving someone a fresh start,” Lue mentioned of the gamers who come to the group. “It’s always good to get a fresh start and start over. Not worry about the past and what you’ve done in the past. Get to a new place where you know you’re welcome.”
At 28, a extra skilled Simmons says he doesn’t let outdoors chatter — particularly on social media — have an effect on his mentality. He’s utterly avoiding it, as a substitute specializing in his journey towards turning into true to himself.
“I really don’t look at it,” Simmons mentioned of social media. “Once you’re comfortable knowing who you are as a person, it’s irrelevant — all of that, the extra noise. I try to stay away from it.”
Simmons’ well being has been a priority for a lot of his profession and stays so, primarily due to lingering nerve harm in his decrease again. A mix of again, calf and knee soreness this season has compelled him to overlook virtually 20 video games, a sample that has develop into all too acquainted.
Simmons says he isn’t coping with any limitations and is able to play, however questions stay about when he’ll make his Clippers debut.
The choice will come tomorrow after he meets with the coaching employees, who can have the ultimate say on whether or not he performs at house Wednesday in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies or waits till Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Jazz in Utah. If he fits up Wednesday, he would possibly sit out in opposition to Utah as a result of he has but to be cleared for back-to-backs.
