Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said Tuesday he has no misgivings about Ben Simmons’ plan to join the team in Philadelphia and sit on the bench with his new teammates.
But when Simmons will be ready to play is another matter.
The former 76ers No. 1 overall pick and three-time All-Star forced his way out of town and hasn’t played a game this season. He’s on the injury report with a lower back issue and might not be back on the court soon, Nash added.
But Simmons will be on the bench — by choice — and is scheduled to join the Nets when the team leaves Charlotte.
Famously vocal and passionate Philadelphia fans are likely to let Simmons know how they feel about his departure. But Nash said Simmons is the least of his concerns.
“It is what it is. He’s a big boy. He’ll be fine,” Nash said. “He wants to be there on the bench with his teammates.”
Nash said there is no date set for Simmons to take the court with the Nets, who traded James Harden to the 76ers and will meet his acquaintance again Thursday night with Kyrie Irving available. Irving is still limited to road games because of vaccination regulations that keep him out of games in Brooklyn due to his status as an unvaccinated player.
Simmons is not ready for 5-on-5 workouts, Nash said, and the Nets require three “full speed” practices in a team environment for players to return from an extended layoff. Based on the schedule, it could be 10 days before Simmons plays in a game.
His first step is outlasting an anxious crowd in Philadelphia.
“Our crowd is so silent so, I can’t imagine anything happening,” 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said Monday night.
Through what appeared to be a thick veil of sarcasm, Rivers said he thinks the team should arrange a video tribute to Simmons.
“Ben did a lot of good things here. It didn’t end well, right? Just like marriages and all kinds of other things that don’t end well. Ben did a lot of good things here. It’s funny, I don’t know if we are or not, but if we did, I’d have no issues with it,” Rivers said.
–Field Level Media