Ben Simmons continues to brim with confidence during training camp. The Nets guard said he’ll be even better than what he showed early in his career, when he was named to the All-Star team three times.
“I’m going to be better than I was,” Simmons told Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “My job is just to show up, perform, work my ass off and lead this team the right way. So it’s doing all the little things, and everything else takes care of itself.”
We’ve got more from the Eastern Conference:
- Hornets guard Frank Ntilikina departed their preseason game on Thursday with a hyperextended left knee, the team’s PR department tweets. Ntilikina’s $2,528,233 minimum salary won’t be fully guaranteed until January 10. He signed a one-year deal in August.
- Khris Middleton hasn’t played in the preseason but that appears likely to change on Friday. The Bucks swingman, who has been working his way back from right knee surgery, says he’s good to go for the preseason finale, according to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “As of right now, I definitely feel like I’ll be out there playing tomorrow,” Middleton said. “Don’t know how long, how many minutes, but I do expect to be playing, which is exciting for me.”
- James Harden missed practice for a second straight day on Thursday but coach Nick Nurse said it didn’t distract his Sixers teammates. “I think the organization has made it clear what’s going on,” Nurse told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “They are working on stuff, as we say, day by day. We had a really good practice today. Very energetic, the guys that were here. And that’s what we are focused on.” Nurse said it’s “unlikely” Harden will play in the preseason finale on Friday even if he returns to the team by then.
- Gradey Dick may be a fan favorite but he’s unlikely to be in the Raptors’ rotation early in the season, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. The first-round pick requires “a lot of patience and time,” coach Darko Rajakovic said. “He’s got to slow down himself before the game slows down for him,” Rajakovic added.
How many games before Simmons suffers a season-ending injury (physical or mental)?
Over/under 5 games.
Besides Lillard fitting in on his new team, Middleton’s health could be the next biggest factor in how far the Bucks go this season. Also curious to see if any young guys show much this year, with a HC that might actually give them a chance to.
blah blah blah
Harden Dick
10 yr old of the board …….
So much Ben Simmons hype lately. Considering the dude was near unplayable last season, idk what could’ve changed.
It’s a low floor at this point. If he can be somewhat effective on the floor, that will be kind of worth celebrating (at least if you’re a Nets fan).
Gradey Dick is 2 years away from being 2 years away.
Masai loves raw product with high ceiling that often never pans out.
So he likes raw Dick?
It’s early… but at some point Dick will be ready to explode
Why does Dick have so many fans? Why is Dick so popular? What makes Dick so special?
They all love dick
Wow this is hilarious …. Now we know all the ones who don’t get any …… and I don’t mean Gradey.
This really is the year Ben can come back. It’s all set up for him. Nets are a good young talented team. With the real Ben. They are better. So the world is his …….. 27yrs old.
Sorry Ben. You dug yourself a deep hole. You’ll have to do something really special to gain fan’s trust again.
Always liked Ben’s game in theory. If he could shoot even just 25% from the 3 he would be all-nba 1st or 2nd team year in and out.
Dick’s needs time and patience?
Sounds to me like this coach doesn’t know Dick!!