Nets’ Ben Simmons says playing well is ‘something I need to do’ after loss to Celtics
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has been a consistent topic of discussion over the past few years. One thing that can’t be debated is that whatever team he’s on, he has to produce if that team has any hopes of winning a championship. That was true when Simmons was with the Philadelphia 76ers and it’s true now as Simmons is a member of the Nets.
Ever since Simmons was traded to Brooklyn for James Harden, the two players will forever be linked by the theme of being disgruntled players who wanted out. Simmons got his wish and now, he has to step up for the Nets since Kevin Durant is out for at least the next month with his right MCL sprain.
In Friday’s 109-98 loss to the Boston Celtics, Simmons dazzled with dishing out 13 assists, but he also attempted only three shots for zero points. As has been the case with Simmons the past few seasons, he can do anything else on the basketball court except score, or even attempt to score rather. Simmons spoke postgame about what he has to do for the team in Durant’s absence:
“I wouldn’t call it pressure. I just think it’s something I need to do to help this team. But, also looking at it, 13 assists, I think towards the fourth, they had way too many second shots, second chances (points), too many rebounds. Five fouls, too many fouls. So, there’s a lot of things within this game that we just played that we can cut down. This was a template game.”
Simmons’ 13 assists are the most by a Net this season, but the zero points in a winnable game is troubling.
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NBA Twitter reacts to Nets' 109-98 loss to the Boston Celtics
