Ben Simmons: 'Let’s get through the season healthy and play in the Olympics'
“I didn’t watch full games, but I would keep up,” he says. “I watched stats, scores and just what’s going on in that world, which was interesting because I live it, I get the media side. People are like, ‘Well you’re not Australian if you don’t want to play’, and all this stuff that comes with it. And I just laugh. I’m like, Alright. And I want my team to succeed all the time. So it’s just interesting seeing that go on and then when we get knocked out, people are like, ‘Okay, we do need him’. I’m like, Yeah, it would be nice to have me there because I’m one of the best players that’s come out of the country. So I love that respect, but at the same time it’s [about the] Olympics for me. That’s what I think about. Let’s get through the season healthy and play in the Olympics. That’s just going to be insane for me. I’m going for a medal, but just having that experience and to be able to represent my country, there’s probably nothing better than that.”
Source: Esquire
Source: Esquire
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Nets: Jacque Vaughn reveals key coaching point to unlock Ben Simmons-Nic Claxton offensive pairing clutchpoints.com/nets-news-jacq… – 8:16 PM
Nets: Jacque Vaughn reveals key coaching point to unlock Ben Simmons-Nic Claxton offensive pairing clutchpoints.com/nets-news-jacq… – 8:16 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Ben Simmons and I discussed the improvements Tyrese Maxey has made on the floor #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 7:19 PM
Ben Simmons and I discussed the improvements Tyrese Maxey has made on the floor #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 7:19 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I really want to see him succeed”
🔊 @adaniels33 is rooting for Ben Simmons this season #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/Q6nzaNm2Gb – 4:15 PM
“I really want to see him succeed”
🔊 @adaniels33 is rooting for Ben Simmons this season #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/Q6nzaNm2Gb – 4:15 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Defender distance tracking is a good tool to assess 3-point shooters, and it’s one that shows how vital Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson will be to floor-spacing in lineups featuring Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton.
During their last full season in PHX (21-22):
Johnson:
-3-point… – 2:36 PM
Defender distance tracking is a good tool to assess 3-point shooters, and it’s one that shows how vital Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson will be to floor-spacing in lineups featuring Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton.
During their last full season in PHX (21-22):
Johnson:
-3-point… – 2:36 PM
Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
It’s only preseason so it’s not worth the overreaction but…
Ben Simmons looks healthier, spry. Gets the ball up faster and still has good court vision. My concern is his aggression near the rim — saw him turn to the righty hook twice instead of going up strong against Tobias. – 12:59 PM
It’s only preseason so it’s not worth the overreaction but…
Ben Simmons looks healthier, spry. Gets the ball up faster and still has good court vision. My concern is his aggression near the rim — saw him turn to the righty hook twice instead of going up strong against Tobias. – 12:59 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
🚨New Mismatch with @ChrisVernonShow🚨
My story on the Nuggets
Teams with too much overlap
📈Lakers depth + AD
Ben Simmons resurgence
🤔Clippers make Mann “untouchable”
🚀Jabari Smith’s rise
🏀We’ll be back again on Friday with our annual Semi-Bold Predictions… – 10:39 AM
🚨New Mismatch with @ChrisVernonShow🚨
My story on the NuggetsTeams with too much overlap📈Lakers depth + AD
Ben Simmons resurgence🤔Clippers make Mann “untouchable”
🚀Jabari Smith’s rise
🏀We’ll be back again on Friday with our annual Semi-Bold Predictions… – 10:39 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Ben Simmons is looking a lot like he did in first All-Star season 👀 pic.twitter.com/GwMBVDls9f – 10:26 AM
Ben Simmons is looking a lot like he did in first All-Star season 👀 pic.twitter.com/GwMBVDls9f – 10:26 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
“The sky’s the limit for him, but with everything going on in terms of like Philly, he’s getting an opportunity to play point guard and run the team and continue to build…”
Ben Simmons is impressed with Tyrese Maxey #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 9:04 AM
“The sky’s the limit for him, but with everything going on in terms of like Philly, he’s getting an opportunity to play point guard and run the team and continue to build…”
Ben Simmons is impressed with Tyrese Maxey #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/17/net… via @SixersWire – 9:04 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
“…I thought it was uncalled for because he couldn’t get the ball…”
Filip Petrusev reacts to the hard foul from Ben Simmons and the double techs they received #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/16/six… via @SixersWire – 11:26 PM
“…I thought it was uncalled for because he couldn’t get the ball…”
Filip Petrusev reacts to the hard foul from Ben Simmons and the double techs they received #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/10/16/six… via @SixersWire – 11:26 PM
Alvaro Martin @AlvaroNBAMartin
Mirá esta joyita de Ben Simmons frente al equipo de sus tormentos.
Vídeo: @NBA
pic.twitter.com/2Sry0wYOnj – 10:24 PM
Mirá esta joyita de Ben Simmons frente al equipo de sus tormentos.
Vídeo: @NBA
pic.twitter.com/2Sry0wYOnj – 10:24 PM
Evan Barnes @evan_b
Jacque Vaughn attributed Ben Simmons’ 8 turnovers to the Nets learning to play with him and adjusting to his unique style/pace/angles.
Said some of the bigs weren’t used to his pick-and-roll style. – 10:09 PM
Jacque Vaughn attributed Ben Simmons’ 8 turnovers to the Nets learning to play with him and adjusting to his unique style/pace/angles.
Said some of the bigs weren’t used to his pick-and-roll style. – 10:09 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Ben Simmons is all over the court
(via @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/fLWsAjzyjY – 9:37 PM
Ben Simmons is all over the court
(via @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/fLWsAjzyjY – 9:37 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
This pass from Ben Simmons 😮💨
(via @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/fLWsAjzyjY – 9:35 PM
This pass from Ben Simmons 😮💨
(via @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/fLWsAjzyjY – 9:35 PM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Excited to consider normal Ben Simmons basketball questions like “Can the Nets play him with another non-shooter in Nic Claxton” instead of more depressing ones – 9:35 PM
Excited to consider normal Ben Simmons basketball questions like “Can the Nets play him with another non-shooter in Nic Claxton” instead of more depressing ones – 9:35 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Yeah, this is a different Ben Simmons. pic.twitter.com/LdId5lzSCU – 9:34 PM
Yeah, this is a different Ben Simmons. pic.twitter.com/LdId5lzSCU – 9:34 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
For those not watching (what else could you possibly have to watch tonight??), Pat Bev just got tossed for chirping Ben Simmons.
His second T of the game. It may be preseason, but Bev is in his prime edgy form. – 9:33 PM
For those not watching (what else could you possibly have to watch tonight??), Pat Bev just got tossed for chirping Ben Simmons.
His second T of the game. It may be preseason, but Bev is in his prime edgy form. – 9:33 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Second time Ben Simmons and Royce O’Neale have connected on this setup.
O’Neale has the stroke tonight, he’s 4/7 from three. pic.twitter.com/VUDtbUAhRr – 9:27 PM
Second time Ben Simmons and Royce O’Neale have connected on this setup.
O’Neale has the stroke tonight, he’s 4/7 from three. pic.twitter.com/VUDtbUAhRr – 9:27 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers on pace to attempt 119 shots, while #Nets on pace for 36 turnovers 😳😳😳😳. Oubre with 17 points, two steals and two blocks thru two quarters. Ben Simmons with two points, five assists and four turnovers.
Sixers vs. Brooklyn first-half box pic.twitter.com/Tk7f2kue9W – 8:48 PM
#Sixers on pace to attempt 119 shots, while #Nets on pace for 36 turnovers 😳😳😳😳. Oubre with 17 points, two steals and two blocks thru two quarters. Ben Simmons with two points, five assists and four turnovers.
Sixers vs. Brooklyn first-half box pic.twitter.com/Tk7f2kue9W – 8:48 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Jacque Vaughn has emphasized the need for Brooklyn to have “premium spacing” around Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton.
One, if not both of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson will almost always need to be on the floor with those two.
Dinwiddie, Thomas, DFS, Royce, Lonnie are adequate… – 8:01 PM
Jacque Vaughn has emphasized the need for Brooklyn to have “premium spacing” around Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton.
One, if not both of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson will almost always need to be on the floor with those two.
Dinwiddie, Thomas, DFS, Royce, Lonnie are adequate… – 8:01 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Ben Simmons splitting the pick-and-roll and finsihing through contact.
The offense has been out of sync for the most part witih some sloppy turnovers, but an impressive rep here. pic.twitter.com/1BTxbus4ft – 7:57 PM
Ben Simmons splitting the pick-and-roll and finsihing through contact.
The offense has been out of sync for the most part witih some sloppy turnovers, but an impressive rep here. pic.twitter.com/1BTxbus4ft – 7:57 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Ben Simmons splitting the pick-and-roll and finsihing through contact.
Impressive stuff. pic.twitter.com/61YSn5V46L – 7:54 PM
Ben Simmons splitting the pick-and-roll and finsihing through contact.
Impressive stuff. pic.twitter.com/61YSn5V46L – 7:54 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Paul Reed stealing the ball from Ben Simmons to ignite a fast break finished by a transition dunk from Reed is basically Sixers fans writing fanfic at this point. – 7:45 PM
Paul Reed stealing the ball from Ben Simmons to ignite a fast break finished by a transition dunk from Reed is basically Sixers fans writing fanfic at this point. – 7:45 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Paul Reed just ripped Ben Simmons and ran the floor for a dunk to put the Sixers up 12-0 – 7:44 PM
Paul Reed just ripped Ben Simmons and ran the floor for a dunk to put the Sixers up 12-0 – 7:44 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Nick Nurse on what he saw from Ben Simmons on film:
“He looks very good. He looks in shape. He looks confident, and very aggressive. And it looks like they’ve got a package of stuff in for him. So looks like he’s ready to go.” – 6:23 PM
Nick Nurse on what he saw from Ben Simmons on film:
“He looks very good. He looks in shape. He looks confident, and very aggressive. And it looks like they’ve got a package of stuff in for him. So looks like he’s ready to go.” – 6:23 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
#Sixers coach Nick Nurse on Ben Simmons: “First couple games. looks very good. He looks in shape, he looks confident and pretty aggressive. And it looks like they’ve got a package of stuff in for him, right? So it looks like he’s ready to go.” #Nets – 6:09 PM
#Sixers coach Nick Nurse on Ben Simmons: “First couple games. looks very good. He looks in shape, he looks confident and pretty aggressive. And it looks like they’ve got a package of stuff in for him, right? So it looks like he’s ready to go.” #Nets – 6:09 PM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Vaughn on Ben Simmons: “In the offseason there are no games, no practices; Im not worried about lineups & how the team will react and those things you worry about throughout the year…(Time) heals a lot of things & ended up healing a lot of uncertainty with Ben & I.” #Nets – 5:55 PM
Vaughn on Ben Simmons: “In the offseason there are no games, no practices; Im not worried about lineups & how the team will react and those things you worry about throughout the year…(Time) heals a lot of things & ended up healing a lot of uncertainty with Ben & I.” #Nets – 5:55 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Nets starters tonight:
Ben Simmons
Spencer Dinwiddie
Cam Thomas
Dorian Finney-Smith
Nic Claxton – 5:53 PM
Nets starters tonight:
Ben Simmons
Spencer Dinwiddie
Cam Thomas
Dorian Finney-Smith
Nic Claxton – 5:53 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“At the end of the day, Ben hasn’t played in a [regular season] game in 7 months”
Jacque Vaughn tells @sarahkustok he is being patient with Ben Simmons
Hear our NBA Radio Season Preview shows here: siriusxm.us/NBARadioSeason… pic.twitter.com/5RLBWRYd6S – 5:50 PM
“At the end of the day, Ben hasn’t played in a [regular season] game in 7 months”
Jacque Vaughn tells @sarahkustok he is being patient with Ben Simmons
Hear our NBA Radio Season Preview shows here: siriusxm.us/NBARadioSeason… pic.twitter.com/5RLBWRYd6S – 5:50 PM
More on this storyline
Still, it’s easy to imagine the past few years haven’t been without their challenges. But while Simmons acknowledges his injuries have “played a toll on [his] mental for sure”, he says his love of the sport never wavered. “I’m very appreciative of the game of basketball because it’s brought me here and given me and my family a lot… The love of the game is always going to be there because that’s where I get to be me; I get to create, I get to be an artist. Besides Call of Duty and other things like that, this is where I get to do my fun stuff. I get to be creative, I get to mess up, I get to do things that other people can’t do. And I think people take that for granted. There’s certain things I can do on the court that some NBA players can’t do. And I’m grateful for that because that’s a blessing that I have.” -via Esquire / October 18, 2023
He’s bold in his predictions for the upcoming season. “We have a great opportunity to start from scratch and build a team that can shock a lot of people,” he says. “And then 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. I never try to live with myself. I’m never like, Well, hopefully, maybe I get a couple votes in an All-Star game. Nah, if that’s the case, I might as well be fishing.” -via Esquire / October 17, 2023
“I did it my way,” he says proudly. “I built my own team around me. I got healthy, I blocked out whatever everybody thought I should do. I’ve tried what other people wanted me to do and it didn’t work. So I’m like, you know what, this is a chance for me to do it my way. I know it works for me. I’ve done this before. I’ve been an All Star, I’ve never missed the playoffs; I’ve been in those moments. At the end of the day it’s my career; I’d rather go out on my own sword.” -via Esquire / October 17, 2023