The Brooklyn Nets haven’t been at full strength for the entirety of the 2021-22 season although that could be changing soon. It’s been over two weeks since the Nets-Sixers trade took place and there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding Ben Simmons’ season debut and James Johnson added to that hype on Wednesday.
The Nets haven’t issued a return date for Simmons but he did say in his introductory press conference that he hopes to play in Philadelphia on Mar. 10.
Simmons hasn’t played in a game since last June when the Sixers fell to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. According to Ramona Shelburne, he’s ‘weeks’ away from returning and he ramped things up this week.
After Wednesday’s practice, Steve Nash and a few players spoke with the media. Johnson, who signed a one-year deal with Brooklyn last August, spoke highly of the direction that Simmons is headed in.
James Johnson: "I know a lot of people should be scared of a mental-healthy Ben Simmons. If he's right, he's going to be killing."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 23, 2022
James Johnson praises new Brooklyn Nets teammate Ben Simmons.
Simmons didn’t play in a game for Philadelphia this year and he cited that his mental health was at the core of that decision. Since being traded to the Nets, the 25-year-old said that he feels “pretty good” physically and is “getting there” mentally.
When asked about those who have been skeptical about his mental health, Simmons responded with a straightforward answer.
“They should be happy I’m smiling. I’ve had some dark times over the last six months,” Nets forward Ben Simmons said about anyone skeptical about his mental health.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 15, 2022
On Wednesday, Simmons was seen working on his shot with player development coach Kyle Korver.
Kyle Korver is working with Ben Simmons today at Nets practice pic.twitter.com/fxCs6RuXr1
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) February 23, 2022
On Tuesday evening, Sean Marks commented on the status of Simmons and Kevin Durant.
"“Depending when they go, we’ve got to see how they respond to days like [Tuesday], and we’ll go forward with this. It’s probably going to be tough, to be honest, to be playing in the next three or four days. But we’ll see how it all plays out. I’m certainly not going to bet against either one of those guys.”"
Johnson isn’t going to bet against Simmons, either. He’s gotten to spend the past couple of weeks Simmons and his comments are a good sign for what’s to come. The Nets have gone through a lot over the past few months and it feels like there might be light at the end of the tunnel after all.
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