Ben Simmons made his sixth Brooklyn Nets appearance of the 2024-25 season against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. He took somewhat of a step back from his previous outing in Brooklyn's 120-112 victory over the Chicago Bulls. But it is not just one game that is holding Simmons back.
Through his first six games, Simmons averages 5.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. He totaled eight points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds against the Bulls. However, Simmons' scoring displays are not the problem. He is attempting just 4.3 shots per game, a career-low and .6 less than his mark in 2023-24.
Simmons attempted five shots during the Nets' 116-101 loss to the Orlando Magic on Oct. 25. Jordi Fernandez recognized the forward's relatively lackluster offensive assertiveness and requested that he get his shot attempts up to between 10 and 15 per game. Yet, in the five games that have followed Fernandez's comments, Simmons has not followed through.
The seventh-year forward attempted four shots in 25 minutes of play during Brooklyn's 106-92 defeat to the Pistons on Sunday, which has drawn another similar challenge from Fernandez.
"I want him to shoot more. My goal for him is 10 [shots per game]. He's gotta find a way to get there. He hasn't gotten there, but I know he can... Those attempts need to go up... He's more than capable," Fernandez said after the Pistons loss, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
Nets still believe in Ben Simmons
Fernandez's follow up request for Simmons shows Brooklyn has high expectations for him and believe he can play up to his potential.
Unfortunately, Simmons' injury woes prevented him from being on the court sufficiently during his first two seasons with the Nets. Thankfully, he is healthy again in 2024-25 but still performs routine management on his lower back to keep himself strong.
Conventional wisdom holds that Simmons' injuries were the reason he was not able to regain star status. Yet, there were concerns about his mental state as well after he held out from playing with the Philadelphia 76ers during the first part of the 2022-23 season. Could Simmons' mentality be what holds his shot attempts back in 2024-25?
One reason Simmons may not be as assertive on offense is due to the playmaking role he has embraced with the Nets. He is the team's second-leading assistman behind Dennis Schroder. Moreover, Brooklyn primarily relies on Cam Thomas as its leading scorer and has Cam Johnson as an offensive wing weapon. Thus, Simmons may not feel as compelled to score.
Simmons must find a way to get his shot attempts up and get to the rack on a more consistent basis. As Jordi Fernandez has repeatedly said, he will only help make the Nets better by being elevating his offensive game.