“Ben Simmons was AWFUL last night” Stephen A. Smith ashamed of how Brooklyn Nets have started proceedings in 2022-23 season
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Ben Simmons, Stephen A. Smith
Earlier this week, the Brooklyn Nets‘ season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans, which ended in a humiliating loss, saw Ben Simmons play for the team for the first time. Stephen A. Smith, the sports analyst, shared his disappointment with the franchise’s outset.
When the Brooklyn Nets exchanged James Harden for problematic former Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons in February, they decided to do something different. Wednesday night’s Pelicans vs. Nets game saw the return of Simmons, one of the most controversial young players in the NBA, who played far worse than the rest of the team. The Brooklyn Nets’ new big three have officially had their first glimpse in the NBA, and the majority of observers are immediately disgusted by the results.
Fans and experts have criticised the Nets following their humiliating loss to the Pelicans. Stephen A. Smith, an experienced journalist, is not an exception to this as he recently discussed what he believes is wrong with the Nets in an edition of ESPN’s “The First Take.”
Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets’ ugly loss to the Pelicans
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram combined for 53 points as the Pelicans thrashed the Nets 130-108 in their season-opening showdown in Brooklyn. Williamson, whose last season was wrecked by injury, was particularly strong in the beginning and was menacing at his best.
In a remarkable return from the forward, Williamson ended with 25 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. He scored 22 of his 25 points in the paint, demonstrating his amazing strength inside. Ingram scored 28 points to lead the Pelicans, and CJ McCollum contributed 21 points. The Pelicans also outrebounded Brooklyn 61-39, with Jonas Valanciunas pulling down 13 of those rebounds.
Kyrie Irving managed 15 points on 6-for-19 shooting and 0 for 6 from 3-point range in the loss, while Patty Mills scored 16 points and Kevin Durant had a game-high 32 points and 4 blocks. The previous No. 1 pick, Ben Simmons, fouled out in his first game while wearing a Nets jersey despite having eight points, four rebounds, three steals, and being highly active defensively in the first half.
The Nets were generally more vulnerable in the second quarter as Simmons continued to have trouble finding an attacking rhythm while keeping busy distributing and rebounding the ball.
Stephen A. Smith slams Simmons and the Nets after their disastrous performance
Almost every member of the Nets had quite a poor performance, with Kevin Durant being the only one to really stand out in this contest. Ben Simmons, the Nets’ trade deadline addition who was making his debut, was perhaps the least impressive player on the court. The day after Simmons made his debut, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith trashed him, claiming he looked awful and was a complete nonfactor for the Nets in this game.
Smith is disappointed, but he still has faith in the team’s potential to fight for the playoffs. However, he said the following of Simmons: “Ben Simmons was awful last night too. No factor whatsoever. Plagued by foul trouble to some degree. Didn’t seem ready to go.” He also added: “You don’t have to shoot jump shots, but damn, you’re supposed to be a playmaker. You weren’t doing that.”
Ben Simmons being used as a forward would be one approach to deal with this ongoing concern. Given his stature, he can succeed as a versatile forward who can run the floor and guard the best player on the other team. The Nets may be a terrifying opponent if Simmons can be made to fit into such a position. It remains to be seen whether Brooklyn can live up to the great expectations placed on him and his squad.
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Irvin Philip
(701 Articles Published)