“Ben Simmons is Gonna Have a Great Year”: Draymond Green Shares Success Mantra with Nets guard

Warriors forward Draymond Green offers Ben Simmons advice for the upcoming season, telling the Nets guard not to pay too much attention to others.

One of the most anticipated returns of the year, Ben Simmons caught everyone’s attention, donning a Nets uniform for the first time in a preseason game against his former team, the Sixers. The former ROTY, who was on the court for 19 minutes, dished out some highlights.

Ben Simmons debut with the Nets

6 points5 assists4 rebounds3/6 Shots0/2 Free Throwsin 19 minutespic.twitter.com/8zm2yU33TN

– Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 4, 2022

While trips to the free throw line continued to be an Achilles’ heel for Simmons, his ability to pass and direct the offense keeps us impressed. The 6-foot-11 guard who returned to the court for the first time in 470 days sank the first bucket of his own on an assist from Kyrie Irving.

BEN SIMMONS IS BACK 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Q7255CDUCc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 3, 2022

There’s no question that Simmons will be on everyone’s radar next season, given his controversial departure from Philadelphia. One of the biggest questions is whether the 26-year-old has developed a jump shot, courtesy of the 2021 playoffs.

Also read: “Ben Simmons is 0-2 from the free throw line after 470 days”: NBA Twitter reacts to Australian native Nets debut

As many analysts, fans and veterans continue to advise Simmons to develop a jump shot, four-time champion Draymond Green has a different take on the subject.

“You’re Ben Simmons for a reason”: Draymond Green offers advice to a native Australian.

Fresh from a tour in Japan, Green wasted no time launching the latest episode of his podcast, tackling his recent overseas endeavor and pre-season. As many big names return this season, the Warriors DPOY addressed Simmons’ debut with the Nets, saying the following.

“Ben Simmons came back after 470 days, I saw, it was good to see Ben come out on the court,” Green said.

“The first bucket was a dunk, it was absolutely amazing to watch. I think Ben is going to have a great year, with Ben’s passing ability, the shots that he has around him in Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, Seth Curry, I mean those kinds of shots around him, I think he’s going to have a good year.”

Green tells Simmons to play to his strengths and not listen to the demands of the public.

“I challenge Ben not to go out on his own and want to show everyone else what they want to see, forget it bro, you’re a three-time All-Star, All-NBA, you’re Ben Simmons for a while. The reason is to be the best Ben Simmons you can be, fuck what everyone else is talking about.”

Referring to the so-called naysayers, Green said.

“Oh, I want to see him shoot a three, I want to see him shoot a jump shot, what if he can’t and if he can’t, well guess what he can do.”

(Timestamp 15:58)

Should Ben Simmons stick to what he does best?

Green certainly has a valid point, given that Simmons has the services of a plethora of shooters on the Nets’ roster, with Durant and Irving leading from the front. Big Ben could play the perfect offensive catalyst while contributing on the defensive side of the schemes.

However, Simmons may need to work on his free throws, as that could hurt him especially in the postseason.

Also read: “Ben Simmons will love playing with us”: Kyrie Irving sends a stern warning