MY ACCOUNT
Steve Nash called the potential inclusion of Ben Simmons in the playoffs “another challenge” that he and the Brooklyn Nets would welcome.
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, is yet to play a game this season after his relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers broke down and he opted to sit out for mental health reasons until his trade could be organized.
The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up has also been dealing with a back injury since arriving in Brooklyn, which has kept him out of action since the All-Star break.
A recent report indicated it was unlikely that Simmons would play at all in the playoffs, but with an updated and upgraded prognosis, the Nets believe his return this year is not out of the question.
When asked about possibly integrating Simmons into the playoff rotation, Nash called it a good problem to have.
“Another challenge, but one that we’d welcome, clearly,” Nash said of the 25-year-old.
“So, we’ll see – if he’s able to play at some point it would be great to incorporate him, and to try and learn as we go and see how he can help our team without having much history, or any history, with our group.
“The bottom line is we’d be adding a substantial talent to our team, so we really welcome him.
“He fits and he helps in a number of ways. We’re in need of help, so we would welcome that challenge of trying to incorporate him in a playoff situation where he has no history with our team.”
However, long-time teammate Seth Curry, who came over with Simmons in the trade that brought James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers, was not willing to look ahead to a potential return for the big Aussie.
“We’re worried about the Play-In game right now,” Curry said.
“If Ben comes in, we’ll try and integrate him as much as possible, but we feel like we’re locked into this Play-In situation right now.
“If Ben does become available, we’ll deal with that then, but we have to worry about who we have out there and focus on Cleveland.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to be thinking about if Ben can come back, as a team. Maybe the coaches and front office – but as players, we’re locked into the task at hand.”
