Simmons' struggles laid bare in latest bizarre play

2 years ago 104

Ben Simmons' struggles person been laid bare successful embarrassing manner aft teammate Kyrie Irving vocally implored for the Aussie to sprout the shot mid-game.

Simmons' much-anticipated comeback play has been a nightmare done 4 games, with the Aussie failing to people much than 7 points successful immoderate crippled truthful acold this season.

His struggles continued arsenic the Brooklyn Nets dropped a 3rd crippled successful 4 attempts, this clip against the Milwaukee Bucks, who ran retired 110-99 winners.

Simmons managed conscionable 4 points against the Bucks, missing 5 of his 7 tract extremity attempts. He besides finished with 4 fouls called against him.

The Aussie's scoring struggles were ne'er much evident than a play successful the third quarter, erstwhile the Nets held a 10-point lead.

Irving attacked successful modulation and dumped the shot disconnected to Simmons successful the overgarment and yelled "Shoot it, Ben!" arsenic the Aussie hesitated and passed it retired to Kevin Durant.

The play was eerily akin to the 1 which coiled up driving Simmons retired of Philadelphia erstwhile helium passed up what should've been a wide-open dunk successful the 2019 playoffs.

Despite his mid-game call-out, Irving defended Simmons erstwhile speaking to reporters afterwards.

"He has the skills to beryllium a large professional," helium said. "He's done it successful the past, and helium hasn't played successful 2 years. You guys support coming successful present and asking maine like, 'What astir Ben? What astir Ben? He hasn't played successful 2 years. Give him a … chance."

The Nets are prepared to connection him that chance.

"We're conscionable present to springiness him affirmative affirmation portion he's retired determination and conscionable fto him hoop," Irving said. "While he's hooping and getting backmost into it, we're going to person to truly jell arsenic a squad successful bid to larn however to triumph arsenic a group."

Nets manager Steve Nash said helium simply wanted to spot Simmons regain "that joyousness of playing the game".

"Ben and I enactment each time astatine this, trying to springiness him the assurance to spell retired determination and beryllium assertive and effort to get backmost to astatine slightest the feeling of joyousness connected the court," anterior to the nonaccomplishment against the Bucks.

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