With mid-September here, the Brooklyn Nets are inching closer to training camp, and the team is wasting no time preparing themselves for what is to come. The Nets are intriguingly set up for the 2024-25 season, with veteran contributors and promising young talent returning. One player lots of eyes will be on during the season is rising seventh-year forward Ben Simmons.
Simmons has not quite lived up to Nets fans' expectations during his first two years with the team. Yet, he is back healthy and looks spry. Simmons was spotted working out alongside several other Nets players at HSS Training Center on Friday, as seen in the Nets' post on Instagram.
In the photo, Simmons appeared to be going up for a dunk, a promising sign of his athleticism and explosiveness. Nets fans could not help but be excited by the sight:
"Ben's ready to feast," one fan commented.
"Big season from Ben," another added alongside three fire emojis.
"Nice to see Ben," another commented alongiside a praying hands emoji.
Ben Simmons may have had some availability problems in the past, but these comments prove some fans still want to see him succeed. Simmons was not the only player on display. Noah Clowney, Cam Thomas, Shake Milton, and Keon Johnson were also featured in the session.
How will Ben Simmons fit with the rest of the Nets in 2024-25?
During the 2023-24 season, fans got a glimpse of the positive contributions Simmons offered. After a lengthy recovery hiatus from his back ailment, Simmons returned to the Nets' lineup in a matchup against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 24. He made an impact all over the court, nearly notching a triple-double.
In just 18 minutes, Simmons totaled 10 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals. The Nets won the game 147-114. This was arguably Simmons' best performance of the season, and it showed how he helped Brooklyn thrive on both sides of the ball.
Analysts often praise Simmons for his transition play. He pushes the ball with intention and has a special knack for getting his teammates opportunities during fast-paced play. This ability stems from his All-Star days with the Philadelphia 76ers, and it remains alive in Brooklyn. Furthermore, Simmons retains Defensive Player Year candidate potential. His height, strength, and ability to guard multiple positions make him a true asset. If he can stay injury-free, he could earn another All-Defensive honor in his next campaign.
Other than outside shooting, Simmons' abilities help make things easier for the rest of Brooklyn's players. His all-around game should help the young Nets see promising development in 2024-25.