It is very well documented from the past that Ben Simmons has a notorious case and struggle in the aspects of shooting, but Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash isn’t worried about that.
According to Nash, the skill set and impact that Simmons has are already more than enough to cover his shooting woes.
“Very unique,” Nash said of Simmons following the Nets’ second full practice of training camp on Wednesday, via ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “That’s what makes Ben great. That’s why I don’t care if he ever shoots a jump shot for the Brooklyn Nets. He’s welcome to, but that is not what makes him special and not what we need. He’s a great complement to our team, and he’s an incredible basketball player because of his versatility.”
Simmons, who endured a season-long bitter relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers fans partly due to his inability to shoot, is welcoming a new start and chapter as a Net.
He may not have that shooting, but it is enticing to see how he will operate being around the league’s deadly shooters in the likes of Patty Mills, Seth Curry, Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris and Kevin Durant.
As such, he is ready to take the challenge of playing whatever he’ll be assigned to.
“I’ll play wherever the team needs me to play, whatever helps,” Simmons said. “I can guard 1 to 5, play 1 to 5.
“I think it’s just one of those things where we have so many different talents on this team you could put me anywhere to help get points, get stops, whatever it is. … I love playing the 5, I don’t mind.”
