3 takeaways from Ben Simmons’ first press conference with Nets
2: He’s excited to be part of the Nets’ culture
Simmons had no desire to play for the Sixers again. Even after he returned to Philadelphia, he didn’t step foot on the court in a Sixers jersey. Nor did he watch the team from the sidelines.
Up until a week ago, it didn’t seem like Simmons was going to play basketball this year. However, that all changed last Thursday when the trade was became official.
Simmons didn’t join the Nets on their recent road trip in Miami but on Monday, he joined his new teammates at the Barclays Center ahead of Brooklyn’s game versus Sacramento.
Later that evening, he made an appearance on the bench and although Simmons was wearing a mask, you could tell that he was smiling underneath it.
On Tuesday, Simmons was asked about how it felt to get to be around his new team for the first time.
Based on what he said, it seems as if Simmons ended up in a place where he feels like he truly belongs. His arrival (along with Curry and Drummond) helped to shift the energy within Brooklyn’s organization. The team culture had faltered in recent weeks with the Harden trade talks but after only one day together, the Nets are trending in the right direction.
Brooklyn is happy to have you, Ben 10.