Mikal Bridges believes a Ben Simmons comeback arc is in retailer.
In an look on the Podcast P present hosted by Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Paul George, Bridges mentioned he’s “got big confidence, big faith” in Simmons, who has spent this summer time rehabbing after lacking nearly all of his video games in Brooklyn because of ongoing again points.
Simmons underwent a microdiscectomy for a herniated L-4 disk in May of 2022, a process identified to have a restoration timeline in extra of a full calendar 12 months. Bridges mentioned on the Podcast P present he believes affirmation of an precise again damage was good for Simmons, who had turn out to be a punching bag for followers on social media angered by his choice to take a seat out a whole season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I think his back was messed up, and him actually going through, getting X-rays and them telling him you had to get surgery, I think it felt good for him because I think people didn’t believe him,” Bridges mentioned. “Because maybe in Philly, he was the little boy who cried wolf sometimes, so he didnt wanna play or some s—t, and now he would say, ‘Oh I’m hurt,’ and people are like, ‘F—k outta here.’ But now he’s actually hurt, but people still don’t believe it. So he was actually hurt and now he’s got surgery, and he’s getting back, but he loves the game, bro.”
Bridges believes a completely recovered Simmons can get again to being the participant who grew to become a three-time NBA All-Star feared as one of many league’s greatest defenders and playmakers. The Nets star mentioned the best way issues ended for Simmons in Philadelphia created a nasty narrative for the embattled ahead however reiterated the crew is each assured in and supportive of their star teammate.
“Him being confident with his body and knowing the things he could do. I think the things he could do with a back injury — I never had a back injury, I pray to God I don’t — but those are really restrictive. I think he couldn’t do the things he did,” Bridges mentioned. “And what occurred in Philly. I feel what messed him up – personally, I don’t know, what I feel simply off seeing issues — is him not enjoying after the Atlanta recreation and everyone nonetheless killing him for not laying the ball up with Trae Young proper there.
“So I think him not playing after that, and that’s all Philly remembers, and they’re gonna say that every time, so I think that just f—ked him a little bit — but nah, I’m confident bro. Sky’s the limit. I honestly think he’s gonna be confident, especially healthy, and this new team and everybody’s just supportive of him.”
Simmons has missed 67 of a attainable 109 regular-season video games since his arrival as a part of the Feb 2022 James Harden commerce with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged seven factors, six assists, six rebounds and 1.3 steals per recreation with the Nets earlier than the group shut him down because of damage after the All-Star break.
In truth, the 76ers initially drafted Bridges tenth total within the 2018 NBA Draft earlier than buying and selling him to the Suns the identical night time. For the transient time Bridges thought he was going to Philadelphia, his hometown, he envisioned Simmons’ gifted playmaking skills creating simple seems for him on the courtroom.
“I was thinking that coming out of college,” Bridges mentioned on George’s podcast. “You know how many cuts and catch-and-shoots and transition points imma get with Ben?”
Bridges and Simmons performed simply two video games collectively after the Durant commerce earlier than Simmons’ season got here to an early finish. The two linked on a Hail Mary play on the finish of the third quarter of Brooklyn’s 11-point victory over the Miami Heat on Feb. 15.
“We had an out-of-bounds play. It might have been two seconds left,” Bridges recalled. “I told him while somebody shot a free throw. I told him, ‘When you get it out, I’m running down and just chuck it.’ He took the ball out and just threw that [thing] full court. I caught it at the free throw line, tapped it to myself, caught it and hit a middy at the end of the quarter.”
Simmons, nevertheless, performed 20 minutes and 28 seconds and had two factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists that night time. Prior to that night time, his workload had steadily decreased, and head coach Jacque Vaughn had begun slowly eradicating Simmons from the common rotation.
The former Third Team All-NBA choice averaged simply 3.6 factors, 4.4 rebounds and three.8 assists in his ultimate 5 video games of the season earlier than sitting the remainder of the best way out, however Bridges mentioned the crew is supportive of him past the stats sheet.
“I’ve definitely got faith, man,” he mentioned. “I feel he’s in place. He f—ks with all of us. We’re shut. He’s the one speaking within the chat on a regular basis. I feel he simply seems like he has a variety of pals, and all of us fuck with him, and clearly yeah we would like him to attain and stuff however we not pressed about it.
“We want him to be aggressive and stuff‚ but s—t like even if you’re not, we’re still here for you,” Bridges continued. “You’re still my man, you’re still my brother. I ain’t gonna hate you, none of that. Obviously, we want you to do this because I think it’d be better for the team, but even if you struggle, s—t. That’s cool. Whatever city we’re in, let’s hang out, we’re gonna go get dinner, get ready for the next one. I think that’s the biggest thing: He can be confident enough to fail and know we’re there for him. I think that’s the biggest thing. You don’t want anybody to feel that pressure every single time: ‘Oh if I don’t play well, these guys aren’t gonna like me.’ Nah, for me, that’s not the case.”
Simmons has two extra years left on his contract and is owed $77 million because the highest-paid participant on Brooklyn’s roster. The Nets had been 24-18 in video games Simmons appeared in final season however had been 2-3 in video games Durant missed after the Kyrie Irving cope with the Dallas Mavericks and 2-5 within the video games Durant missed because of damage main as much as his commerce to Phoenix.
Simmons has profession averages of 14.7 factors, 7.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals per recreation. During his three seasons in Philadelphia, he averaged 16 factors, eight rebounds and eight assists, received 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year and ranked Top 20 in assists, steals, area purpose share, rebounds and defensive win shares in a number of seasons
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Source: www.bostonherald.com