Count veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie among those who are bullish on Ben Simmons‘ chances of enjoying a big comeback season in 2023/24. As NetsDaily relays, Dinwiddie heaped plenty of praise on his Nets teammate during a recent appearance on Patrick Beverley’s podcast.
“Ben at his best form is a far more athletic Draymond Green with less three-point shooting,” Dinwiddie said. “… When you talk about the defensive IQ, reading passing lanes, quarterbacking a defense, able to guard one through five. He’s one of the only people in the league who can do that, and then obviously he’s getting out on that break.
“… When Ben’s at his best, he’s getting off the rim, he’s being a monster in transition, he’s making plays for others,” Dinwiddie continued. “We hope that there’s enough shooting out there with Mikal (Bridges) … Cam Johnson obviously is elite, he’s always shooting 45 (percent) from three … Catch and shoot-wise I’ve been a good three-point shooter in my career. We hope to space the floor for him. He gets out in transition and makes plays. And obviously you’ve got Nic (Claxton) playing above the rim.”
Simmons’ comments in August about how he was eager to “come back and dominate people” after recovering from his back issues were met by many fans with skepticism and some derision. However, people who have spent time around the former No. 1 overall pick this offseason believes those quotes are “based on substance,” according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, who has heard from those sources that Simmons looks like he’s primed for a bounce-back year.
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- Defensive rebounding and outside shooting look like two potential Nets weaknesses based on their current roster, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post, who suggests that how Brooklyn overcomes – or addresses – its shortcomings in both areas could go a long way toward determining what sort of season the team has.
- Michael Pina of The Ringer lays out the case for why the Knicks are in position to target an impact player and why New York may be a more appealing landing spot for stars than it has been for years. In a related story, Adam Zagoria of NJ.com argues that the Knicks should go all-in for trade candidate Jrue Holiday.
- After stating in July that he’d be “very surprised” if he opens the season with the Knicks, Evan Fournier sounds more resigned to that scenario, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News (subscription required), who passes along highlights from Fournier’s appearance earlier this month on French radio station RTL. The veteran wing acknowledged that he doesn’t have much control over the situation, but simply wants the opportunity to play again. “I love living (in New York), I love the franchise, I love playing at Madison (Square Garden), I love the guys on the team,” Fournier said. “So I just want to play, that’s all. It’s true that finding another club, changing franchises, if that’s what you have to do to play again, that’s what I would like to do.”
- In his latest mailbag, Fred Katz of The Athletic fields questions on Fournier’s status, the Knicks‘ rotation, and Julius Randle‘s recent agency change. While Katz doesn’t believe Randle’s decision to leave CAA means he wants to leave the Knicks, he refers to the move as “significant,” noting that the timing (following the first season of a four-year contract) is unusual.
Simmons shrinks under pressure. Draymond doesn’t. Say what you will about him, but nobody will ever accuse Draymond Green of being a quitter.
Ben has never met a free throw he liked and needs to be sat at crunch time. Simmons like Harden fold at crunch time.
Yeah… being baited into kicking an opponent in the nutz (after already being at a technical foul tier limit towards suspension) and suckerpunching a teammate in practice is the epitome of “not shrinking under pressure”.
Sheesh
Yeah… being a target of the league and villainized to make Lebron look like a hero and still winning 4 rings is the epitome of “not shrinking under pressure”. Yeesh
“being a target of the league and villainized”
He’s a “target” and “villainized” because he’s the dirtiest player in the league. He’s also a good player on championship teams. Both things are true.
rct
and… and know you’re “a target and villian in the league” yet still goin out and doin the same knucklehead stuff that made you that “target and villian”.
Hell, maybe he’s not shrinking under pressure… maybe he’s just flat out brainless.
I didn’t say he wasn’t an *ss, but he’s a competitor. He never stops on the court. Doesn’t stand around doing nothing. I’d rather have him and his tendencies on my team than Ben and his primadonna “woe is me” attitude.
Brooklyn still having all the pieces to at least make the playoffs in the east.
The knicks can use someone to space the floor at the 5, giving everyone else space to operate. If I’m LeoN Rose, Embiid may fulfill a dream, but Myles Turner may be a more realistic trade target at the trade deadline.
Either Isaiah Hartenstein raises his game and gives Thibodeau something to consider when thinking about his starting Center, or Rose has to acquire a shot blocking Center capable of stretching the floor.
And a legitimate backup Power-Forward behind Randle would help as well
A more realistic choice would be RJ Barrett either managing a consistent shooting stroke, or trading him for an upgrade. Their Center position is a strength; the amount of rebounds and contests they get out of Robinson and Hartenstein are a massive part of their scheme.
Barrett is fine, although I would want to get OG Anunoby if I’m Leon Rose.
Robinson and Hartenstein do provide something for the knicks, but the offense lags a bit with either of them. That’s why you hear a push for Thibs to play Randle at Center, giving the offense more freedom to score. You have to sacrifice in order to get. The knicks can afford to sacrifice Robinson
Given that Robinson was the league leader of offensive rebounding percentage last season, I’d argue that he’s still an integral part of their offense. Just not in terms of scoring. They weren’t winning against the Cavs in the playoffs if he didn’t keep the offense going so fluidly, attacking one of their biggest weaknesses (Cavs were near the bottom of the league in rebounding, but succeeded in limiting opponents rebounds as well, but it didn’t work against Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. who could just outmuscle the lighter Allen and Mobley). And Hartenstein could be more effective if Thibs wasn’t so averse to actually letting him be a playmaker. He’d mesh perfectly with their cutters in the half-court and could get the ball up ahead on the fastbreak as soon as he gets a rebound if he was allowed to do so.
It’s absolutely ridiculous that Sean Marks either failed or refused to get a legitimate Center capable of spacing the floor for Ben Simmons to score where he’s most comfortable. We should look to make Claxton a foundational piece going forward. If the Nets want a chance at championship success, Marks MUST renounce small-ball and embrace reality: you need size, physicality, shooting, and continuity in order to win in the NBA
Robinson,Hartenstein tandem maybe the best in the nba,if Hartenstein can work on his 3point shooting it will spread the floor for the 2nd unit. A jrue holiday pickup will free up brunson from the majority of ball handling will be an excellent pickup.
They could be the best tandem but rather have a superstar manning the 5.
Robinson and Hartenstein have terrible hands on offense. A lot of those offensive rebounds lost bobbling ball out of bounds.
Often feels like Knicks playing 4 on 5. Hartenstein was supposed to be a stretch 5 but he was cold and Thibs shut that down quickly.
How can you say Clayton is a foundational piece but Nets need a 5 to space the floor? Marks brought in Bazley as a floor spacing 4/5 off the bench.
Nets roster is far from done being remade post KD/Kyrie.
@fredweis – GREAT question! Sorry I just saw it though.
If the Brooklyn Nets are serious about winning a championship in the near future, Joe Tsai, Sean Marks, and Jacque Vaughn MUST realize that small-ball is dead and we need more size and physicality in order to compete. In order words, make a paradigm shift.
Claxton is greatly improved, but he’s NOT a Center. He’s a Power-Forward.
By the way, Durant and Simmons are roughly the same size, but are both smaller than Claxton, making them Small-Forwards.
Because Claxton is truly a Power-Forward and not a Center, that means we need to prioritize legitimate Centers capable of spacing the floor, so that Claxton, Ben, and whoever else are poor shooters can operate on offense while guarding their positions very well.
Imagine this scenario: the Minnesota Timberwolves stink and realize their two-Center lineup is a failure. The Nets trade Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O’Neale, and Dorian Finney-Smith, along with two 1st Round Picks, for Karl-Anthony Towns.
NOW we have a legitimate front-court!
(PG) Thomas/ Smith Jr
(SG) Mikal/ Lonnie Walker
(SF) Ben or Johnson
(PF) Claxton/ Bazley
(C) KAT/ Sharpe
See where I’m going?! The conundrum is how can we sneak Donovan Mitchell on this roster? Are we saving cap-space for his free agency? Time will tell.
But what say you about my idea of Claxton best serving the Nets by playing the 4 instead of the 5?
It’s marks fault that Ben hasn’t improved his shooting over these last 6 years!? With all the BS he’s pulled(these last 2 years) no GM should cater their offense to him. He should have stayed in Philly where he was surrounded by a superstar center and 3 shooters.
I don’t know why no one has gotten Simmons to work with Hakeem.
If you can’t shoot having great footwork around the rim and a hook shot would be good to have!
If Simmons can shoot over 60% from FT line again his confidence will soar.