Ben Simmons Takes the Helm: A New Era for the Brooklyn Nets
With Dennis Schröder’s departure to Golden State, the Brooklyn Nets are turning to Ben Simmons as their new starting point guard. Coach Jordi Fernandez believes this shift could significantly impact the team’s style of play.
Nets Looking to Shake Things Up
The “post-Dennis” era isn’t kicking off as smoothly as Brooklyn had hoped. Fresh off a beatdown by the Cavaliers, the Nets will no longer have their German floor general at their disposal. In his absence, they are putting their faith in Ben Simmons, a former All-Star who has battled injuries in recent seasons. Simmons is ready to reclaim his preferred role at point guard, and it’s time for him to step up and stay healthy.
Coach Fernandez Plans to Rev Up the Tempo
According to Jordi Fernandez, this change in personnel is set to transform the Nets’ game plan. In a chat with Brian Lewis from the New York Post, Fernandez expressed his intent to capitalize on Simmons’ athleticism to revamp Brooklyn’s style of play. In short, it’s time to pick up the pace—expect to see the Nets push the tempo in the coming weeks.
“Dennis was among the bottom ten slowest point guards in the #NBA – pace doesn’t define your skill level – and Ben is the 18th-fastest… We’re going to try to play faster. The ball is going to fly. He’s going to push. He’s going to throw it ahead,” said Fernandez.
It’s a bold strategy, but the Nets will need to revise many of their routines. Historically, Brooklyn has not been known for fast-paced basketball. In fact, the team currently sits at the bottom of the NBA in terms of Pace—they are the slowest squad in the league.
A Tough First Challenge
Last night’s game served as a reality check, with the Nets piling up 20 turnovers, and Simmons shouldering six of those mistakes alone. The Australian knows he needs to elevate his game, but he also understands that a quicker pace can lead to more errors. As the point guard, it’s his job to strike the right balance.
“I think it’s all about reading the game. When you speed up, mistakes happen more often. But it’s on me to know where my teammates are and take care of the ball as a point guard,” Simmons remarked.
Source text: New York Post