Nets point guard Ben Simmons opened up about his transformative journey following a challenging season, expressing optimism and determination for the future.
Simmons, the former No. 1 draft pick, endured a difficult season marked by career-low statistics, struggling to perform at his usual level and having the season cut short due to a nerve impingement in his back.
After taking the necessary time to recover, the 27-year-old player has been gradually reclaiming his form during the preseason.
So far, over three preseason games he averaged 8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7 assists in 21.6 minutes per game.
“I feel amazing,” Simmons shared in an interview with Christopher Riley of Esquire. “Now versus how I was playing last season, it’s night and day.
“Being able to go through a whole session, play, get hit, get up, sprint, dunk, and then walk perfectly normal—feeling like nothing happened—is the best thing I’ve experienced in the last few months. All I want to do is hoop and do my job.”
Looking ahead, Simmons remains determined and ambitious, aiming to surpass previous achievements and regain his All-Star status.
He sees the upcoming season as an opportunity for the team to redefine itself and surprise the league with their performance.
“We have a great opportunity to start from scratch and build a team that can shock a lot of people,” Simmons affirmed.
“Individually, I want to be back where I was. I want to be an All-Star. I want to be better than an All-Star. That’s where I want to be.”
