With Dennis Schroder gone, Ben Simmons is running the show as the new point guard.
And the Nets played Monday's game, and they weren't very good.
The Nets will have to rely on pace to win games.
But they were reckless, sloppy and had too many turnovers, resulting in a 130-101 loss to Cleveland.
“I think it's just reading the game. If you increase your speed, you're going to make more mistakes,” Simmons said. “But it's my responsibility to know where the players are and to be the point guard and take care of the ball.
“Just being at the point guard position, I have more opportunities now. So I'm just going to find my way. I'm going to go talk to the coaches about different looks that I see there and things like that. .So, yes.
Simmons had a season-high 10 points and eight assists in 31 minutes.
But he converted six of the Nets' 22 ugly turnovers, which the Cavs turned into 34 points.
With Schroder's departure, the Nets lost a vocal leader and floor general.
Simmons will be responsible for the latter, but he is a very different kind of general.
The Nets will miss Schroder's scoring and playmaking, much of which comes from pick-and-roll situations.
While he formed a solid tandem with roll men like Nic Claxton, Simmons could have some spacing concerns with the center as he posted an abysmal minus-24 grade.
Trendon Watford was forced to leave the game with the same left hamstring injury he sustained earlier.
