After fouling out early two video games in a row, Nets star Ben Simmons conceded he has to “tone it down.”
Simmons fouled out of the preseason finale in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 13 minutes of motion, then fouled out of Wednesday’s season opening blowout loss early within the fourth quarter. He tallied simply 4 factors, 5 assists and 5 rebounds to his six fouls and three turnovers in 23 minutes of play.
“I’ve gotta tone it down. Like I’d be a little too physical over the top,” Simmons mentioned after the sport. “Maybe I’m just excited. [It’s] my first game, so…”
Simmons, who performed his first common season recreation in over a yr after sitting out the complete 2021-22 season, mentioned the rule adjustments in officiating that occurred final season didn’t faze him an excessive amount of.
He remembered officers blowing tick-tack fouls on him when guarding Trae Young within the 2021 NBA playoffs, however the referees have since adjusted when and why they name fouls.
“I’m also trying to set a tone within our team and be that physical guy,” Simmons mentioned. “But you had some questionable [fouls] and some I knew were fouls. It’s also just reading who I’m guarding, where to be; it’s a faster game. It’s the regular season now, so we’ve got to turn it up. It was just the way it was called.”
Simmons’ teammate Kyrie Irving mentioned the Nets can’t afford for him to foul out.
“As we told him in the locker room, he’s a valuable piece for us and we need him out there,” mentioned Irving. “And fouling out is not an option. Playing aggressive is something that we want him to do, but we also want to play smart.”
Head coach Steve Nash mentioned Simmons is “rusty” and that “he’s still getting used to referees, defense and offense.”
“The guy hasn’t played in over a year… This is a process,” Nash mentioned. “He’s proven glimpses of the participant we all know he’s and will be, nevertheless it’s not straightforward. We’re right here to assist him. We’re right here to push him, coach him up and attempt to get him to a spot the place he can play on the stage he’s performed prior to now. It’s all there for him. I believe you’ve seen these glimpses all through the preseason, however now it’s placing it collectively, actually getting his legs below him, his rhythm and assimilating to a brand new group.
“There’s a lot on his plate. As long as he continues to build his confidence, play hard and play with force, we’re fine with him making mistakes as he grows into this.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com