Brooklyn’s training camp begins Tuesday and doesn’t end until the season opener on Oct. 23.
And every day, from start to finish, Ben Simmons’ health won’t be a big topic of conversation.
That would be the single greatest story.
Yeah, this just goes to show how bad or boring the Nets can be.
But it also speaks to how injury-plagued Simmons has been in recent years.
And while he has been cleared to officially start camp and was one of the team’s best players in pickup games last month, sources told the Post there is no doubt he can remain on the floor. The question of what to do will be a problem for the team.
Ben Simmons has been cleared to start Nets training camp. Jason Suzens/New York Post
“He’s a competitive guy, so you all wish him good health and hope he can do well on the court. From what we’ve seen with Ben so far, I think he’s going to give his all in camp and We’re excited to see it,” Nets GM Sean Marks said. “And for him, he’s trying his bit to get out there and contribute. So this is a big year for him, as well as the rest of us.”
This year will be a rebuilding year for the Nets. The Nets have already been playing pickup games for several weeks to give new coach Jordi Fernandez a head start.
But this is going to be a big year for Simmons.
He has missed 189 of 246 games over the past three seasons and all eight of Brooklyn’s playoff games with a hip injury.
After the nerve impingement recurred, Simmons underwent a postseason microscopic partial discectomy in March, his second in three years.
Ben Simmons has missed more playing time than he has played in the past three years. Corey Shipkin of the New York Post
Simmons is currently on an expiring $40.3 million contract and the Nets will likely struggle for the next two seasons, so it’s incumbent on him to get on the court and stay healthy.
He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and will need to earn his next contract, even if it means a significant pay cut.
It starts with camp and preseason.
“He will be fully able to start camp,” Fernandez said. “But we’re going to treat him like everyone else. We’ll go through practice and evaluate how everyone is feeling and then we’ll make a decision. … So from day one, Ben I’m looking forward to seeing him on the court.”
Simmons averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 rebounds in 23.9 minutes last season.
And his absence has had a huge impact on the Nets as well.
Brooklyn went 31-26 when they played the past two seasons, but was a disappointing 46-61 when they didn’t. Or the 45-win pace could drop to a 35-win pace.
The Nets have been playing well with Ben Simmons in the lineup. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“If you think about it, a healthy Ben Simmons…the No. 1 thing for him and the No. 1 thing we care about is his health,” Fernandez said. “Ben is a very good player. And Ben is healthy so he can rebound, push and do all the things that help create really good shots. We want to play fast. He’s one of the best playmakers who can do it from rebounding to pushing the ball forward.
“His paint touch is unbelievable. He’s big, he’s built like a truck, and he was able to get into the paint and spray (to shooters) and get to the rim.
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“As far as shot quality, touching the paint, moving the ball, flipping the ball, body movement, ball movement, if you can play fast, Ben really fits all of those things.”
Fernandez, as well as Nets return-to-performance coordinator James Moore, spent time with Simmons in Miami while the 28-year-old rehabbed.
Ben Simmons dunked last season. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
He has done well in pickup games, as has Noah Clowney and to some extent Zaire Williams.
When camp officially opens on Tuesday, Fernandez will begin the challenge of finding a way to put Simmons and non-shooting center Nick Claxton together.
But for the Nets, Fernandez said that’s secondary to keeping Simmons healthy.
That will be the story of this preseason before the regular season goals.
