The Brooklyn Nets are only two games into their 2024-25 campaign, and many eyes are already focused on Ben Simmons. Simmons entered the season healthy after a bout with injury woes and is doing what he can to help the young Nets ascend. However, his performance in Brooklyn's 116-101 loss to the Orlando Magic has drawn a strong stance from head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Simmons ended Friday's game with seven points, six rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal. However, it was not just his stat totals that alarmed Fernandez. Simmons attempted just five shots in the game. Afterward, Fernandez made it clear that he wanted Simmons to be more assertive on offense.
“I want those (shot) attempts to go up to 10 to 15 attempts per game… I don’t want him to drive to pass. I keep telling him to drive to the rim and be aggressive. That’s what the team needs from him, and that’s what his teammates want him to do," Fernandez said after Friday's loss, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
Simmons' lack of shot attempts is not a new problem. During the latter half of the 2022-23 season, his first stint with the Nets, Simmons averaged between 3.2 and 5.6 shot attempts per game. This was a stark contrast to the 6.6 to 11.4 attempts he averaged during his last year with the Philadelphia 76ers. His low shot-attempt trend continued for two more seasons with Brooklyn, as he generally would not shoot more than 5.6 per game.
Simmons' Magic showing was an improvement upon his season opener against the Atlanta Hawks when he attempted four shots.
Surely, Fernandez's request will wake Simmons up.
It is only a matter of time until Simmons' shot attempts increase
Ben Simmons looked strong in the first half against the Magic. But he appeared to fade away during the second half. In his defense, he drove hard into Orlando defenders during the latter half of the game, but it was largely ineffective. He also dealt with foul trouble that likely affected his assertiveness.
Simmons admitted he was gassed in the first half and that Orlando turned up their physicality in the second half. At the same time, he took accountability and expressed his need to keep attacking and seeking looks.
The combination of Jordi Fernandez's request and Simmons' accountability mean the forward is bracing for a breakout. He is aware of the improvements he can make. Now, it is time to enact them.
The Nets have a chance to snap their early two-game losing streak against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday evening. Simmons will have quite the challenging matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but expect the Nets forward give it everything he has to help lead Brooklyn to victory.