For Steve Nash, a rough night from Ben Simmons doesn’t mean the end of the world for the Brooklyn Nets.
Nash acknowledges the fact that Simmons looked rusty on the Nets’ 130-108 opener loss against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, but reiterates that their support as a team won’t fade away on the embattled star point forward.
He also noted that despite an abysmal showing, Simmons still delivered some glimpses of what he is as an all-around machine.
“I just think he’s rusty,” coach Nash told reporters about Simmons’ poor Nets debut, via ESPN’s Nick Friedell. “The guy hasn’t played in over a year. He’s still getting used to referees, defense, offense.
“This is a process for Ben … He’s shown obviously glimpses of the player we know he is and can be, but it’s not easy. We’re here to support him.”
Simmons, who sat out the entirety of last season due to back injury and a controversial stand-off with the Philadelphia 76ers, had an unpleasant evening in front of the Barclays Center crowd. He took a premature leave after fouling out in 23 minutes of play, posting four points, five rebounds, five assists and three turnovers.
But the fact that the matchup serves as the first of the 82 total regular season games, Simmons still has more chances to bounce back and familiarize himself back to his conditioned form.
The Friday bout against the Toronto Raptors could play its purpose of helping him to embark on a path towards needed redemption.
