Ben Simmons looked like his old self in Nets return, in a good way

Basketball feels like just a part-time job for Ben Simmons ever since his infamous meltdown with the basketball player. philadelphia 76ers During the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Simmons’ career more or less unraveled after he avoided a wide-open dunk in Game 7 of that series. After the game, Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid threw him under the bus, and Simmons held out by demanding a trade, which Simmons eventually responded to.was traded in brooklyn nets They enter the February 2022 trade deadline with a blockbuster deal for James Harden.

The Sixers are already on their second iteration of a post-Simmons team this season. Meanwhile, Simmons’ tenure in Brooklyn never really took off due to injuries. He has only played in 48 of 211 games since the Nets acquired him.

On Monday, Simmons was finally cleared to return to the court in Brooklyn after rehabbing a nerve impingement in his left hip. Believe it or not, Simmons looked great.

nets won utah jazz, 147-114, Simmons played a key role off the bench despite limited minutes. He finished with 10 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds on 5-of-5 shooting from the floor in just 18 minutes of play, adding to the talent of the former three-time All-Star and two-time All-Star. He showed off his full face. – First-team All-Defense selection. Check out his highlights here.

This was Simmons’ seventh game of the season. He has had lingering back problems since undergoing surgery shortly after being traded to the Nets. Simmons is only 27 years old, but there were already fears that his body was breaking down. He certainly didn’t seem like that on Monday night.

When Simmons was playing at an All-Star level, he was a 6’10, 240-pound forward with elite speed, incredible defensive impact, and the ability to shine in transition as a passer or scorer. He certainly looked a lot like that player against Utah. Watch Simmons run the break and find an open teammate for a layup.

Watch as Simmons digs into the paint and strips Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, who cuts off the passing lane. There aren’t many players his size who can defend so reliably this far from the hoop or turn defense into offense this quickly. That’s always what makes Simmons special.

After the game, Simmons was beaming. After checking in, when a reporter tried to ask him about early fastbreak opportunities, Simmons quickly responded, “Whenever I have the ball, it’s always a fastbreak.”

It’s easy to forget now, but Simmons was one of the defining players of the ’90s generation (he was born in 1996). Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, was arguably the top prospect throughout his high school career, despite having an up-and-down season. LSU before entering the draft.

I remember watching Simmons in the gym alongside Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram and Jalen Brunson during the 2015 McDonald’s National Practice. Simmons was considered by far the top dog in his class, drawing comparisons to LeBron James and Magic Johnson for his size, passing and open-floor speed. Perhaps anyone would have disappointed such expectations, but for the first four years of his career, Simmons was arguably one of the best young players in the league.

Simmons had never taken a jump shot, but he didn’t need one to be successful. Simmons was very big and attacked the rim very quickly. He is arguably one of the most versatile defenders in the sport, and he also felt he was one of the better passers. His physical and mental breakdown in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, where he appeared unwilling to hit free throws and afraid of getting fouled, was compounded by yips, injuries, and shortcomings in his skill set. It was a combination of anxiety. They come together at the worst possible time.

Simmons will have to do more to return, but it was certainly a welcome sight to see him happy, healthy and effective on the floor against Utah. This Nets team is a dismal 19-27 overall, largely due to the lack of a lead shot creator. When Simmons is surrounded by Brooklyn shooters, he could be that guy.

For now, just having a short stint and playing a good game will be a real blessing.