Rocio Robles
Ben Simmons has yet to play a single minute in this entire 2021/22 NBA campaign, but the Brooklyn Nets are confident the star point guard can make his debut in these playoffs.
The Brooklyn Nets have yet to get the slightest taste of Ben Simmons’ talent after acquiring him in an in-season trade that involved James Harden being sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the Australian, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and a few first-round picks.
The player was unable to play a single game during his time with his former team due to tensions between him and the board, therefore his time without seeing official action has been quite extended; should he make his debut, he may perform below his regular level in an incredibly competitive environment. Due to this, Ben Simmons has increased his load during training with the aim of arriving in the best possible condition for these playoffs.
However, Simmons’ debut will depend on whether the Brooklyn Nets can make it out of the playoffs after finishing seventh in the NBA’s Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record. If this happens, he will face the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 12.
After the player suffered a back injury during practice, coach Steve Nash has already ruled out Simmons playing in the playoffs, and while he could be ready for the first round, Nash doesn’t seem to want to rush him: he mentioned after his team’s 134-126 win over the Indiana Pacers in their final regular-season game that “there is no estimated time for his return.”
Ben Simmons, the missing weapon in the dangerous Nets
While the Brooklyn Nets’ 44-38 record may not look the best for a team that is expected to be a title contender this NBA season, the fact is that the New York Nets have rarely been able to be at 100% of their capabilities this season.
Kyrie Irving’s inability to play home games at the Barclays Center until weeks ago due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19 plus the city’s regulations greatly influenced the team’s results, as well as the injuries they have suffered throughout the season. In fact, the Nets head into this playoffs with the absence of key player Joe Harris, while Seth Curry — who came from the 76ers and joined the team along Ben Simmons — is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis as he recovers from an ankle injury.
The return of Ben Simmons to the starting lineup could give the team a much-needed boost in its NBA title bid after failing last season with a roster led by superstars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. In fact, the Brooklyn Nets come into this playoffs on a streak of four consecutive wins by eight or more points. To reach the playoffs, however, they will have to overcome a Cleveland Cavaliers team that has made a splash this season although they finished with a 3-7 record in their last ten games.
