Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze says there’s early proof Ben Simmons will bounce again to his finest with Brooklyn this NBA season.
Within the remaining 12 months of his wealthy Nets deal, former prime draft decide Simmons is ready to command probably the most curiosity of the 14 Australians suiting up for the season that suggestions off Wednesday (AEDT).
Accidents have restricted Simmons to solely 57 of a attainable 199 video games since relocating from Philadelphia in February 2022 as a part of a commerce that despatched former NBA MVP James Harden to the 76ers.
Again points have been chief amongst his issues, maintain him to solely 15 video games final season and dashing his hopes of enjoying in Australia’s Olympic marketing campaign.
“From my very own private experiences, the backs had been at all times the toughest to get via since you could not discover different methods to remain in form and keep in type as a result of it was so debilitating,” Gaze advised AAP.
Simmons’ run of accidents has maligned him within the eyes of Brooklyn followers nonetheless but to see constant output from the 28-year-old.
However he confirmed glimpses of his finest within the pre-season, most notably arising with 11 factors, 5 rebounds and two assists within the 133-92 drubbing of Washington.
Simmons mentioned on the Nets’ pre-season media day that he lastly felt wholesome, with Gaze able to put religion within the Australian for a comeback season.
“There’s been some proof of that (Simmons bouncing again),” he mentioned.
“A few the glimpses that I’ve seen, he appears wholesome, he appears engaged, he is saying all the fitting issues.
“It looks as if he is received a special method to what his goals are this season with reference to getting again to enjoying good basketball and the way he is attempting to slot in with the brand new coach (Jordi Fernandez) and be an ally.
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“He is missed loads of basketball. If he can keep wholesome and he can get again to see what he is able to doing, it may very well be a giant 12 months for him.”
Elsewhere, Gaze was hopeful Chicago would show a great match for Josh Giddey following a disappointing third and remaining 12 months with Oklahoma Metropolis.
Giddey arrives at a youthful Bulls outfit present process the sort of rebuild that the pass-first level guard helped execute after being drafted to the Thunder with the sixth decide in 2021.
The 2024-25 season looms as a vital one for Josh Giddey’s profession after he was traded to the Chicago Bulls throughout the summer time. (Getty Pictures: Stacy Revere)
“What he was in a position to do all through that interval as a man attempting to determine his method into the NBA in addition to be a part of a rebuilding program, he confirmed nice maturity, confirmed that he can play at a very excessive stage,” Gaze mentioned.
“I do not assume that there is any query about his long-term prospects within the league however like it’s for lots of gamers, it is being in the fitting place on the proper time, you get the fitting sort of teammates round you.”
Minnesota Timberwolves recruit Joe Ingles and Utah Jazz’s Patty Mills are amongst different Australians on new groups for the 2024/25 season, which may very well be the final within the NBA for the pair of veterans.
“What kind of affect with the place they’re at on this stage of their profession and what sort of function they’ll have, it’s going to be fascinating to observe that,” Gaze mentioned.
AAP
