Sean Marks on Ben Simmons: ‘trending in right direction ... young enough to rekindle form’
Sean Marks took some questions on the Nets during ESPN’s broadcast Sunday, including on how Ben Simmons might fit into Nets rebuild. Yes, yes, we’ve heard it all before but Sean Marks once again offered optimism about Ben Simmons playing a key role on the Brooklyn Nets next season. Meanwhile, Simmons agent, was positively combative in defending his client against the latest media criticism, this time from Stephen A. Smith.
Marks took questions on a variety of issues related to the Nets rebuild from ESPN’s Tim Legler and Marc Kestecher during the second quarter of the Nets Summer League loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday afternoon. While he was non-committal on the Nets veteran free agents returning, he suggested that he believes in a Simmons return to his former self.
“Very difficult couple years for Ben. I mean, to have him play as few games as we’ve had, to go through back surgeries, you never wish that on anybody,” said Marks. For him, it’s getting him back mentally, physically, ready to play.”
The Nets GM then gave an update on Simmons condition following his second back surgery in 22 months this past March, a procedure that ended his season after 15 games.
“And by al accounts, at this particular point in the summer, he’s been working out with his group in Miami. And by all accounts, he feels good and is trending in the right direction. I know he wants to get out there and this is a big year — a big year for us because he’s part of our franchise, but it’s a big year for Ben. He’s young enough (27) that he can re-kindle some of his — to get back to his old form.”
Simmons is the only Nets player on the current roster who’s been selected for the All-Star team (three times), All-Defensive team (twice) and All-NBA (once). But he’s only played 57 games in the past three seasons, the result of a season-long holdout in Philly, then the recurring back injuries that led to back surgery in May 2022 and January of this year.
Marks was not the only member of the Nets organization to speak about possibilities of a healthy Simmons. Cam Johnson is believed to be on the trade market, but he still offered a positive view of the forthcoming season with a healthy Simmons.
“We get a healthy Ben (Simmons) back, and with the stuff we were able to do with him in the lineup last year, I think there’s a lot of potential.” Johnson told reporters in Las Vegas Sunday.
Of course, skepticism will reign until Simmons takes the court. At this point, of course, there’s no market for Simmons who’s playing on an expiring $40.3 million contract. There’s been a lot of speculation that the Nets are hoping Simmons can be productive so they can move him at the February deadline.
While Marks and Johnson were saying positive things about Simmons health and possibilities, Stephen A. Smith offered perhaps the most extreme comments on Simmons situation since his rehab began.
Smith said on a podcast hosted by Heat players Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller that Ben Simmons is lucky “He’s lucky he’s not in prison for theft. I’m sure of all the places he could really get focused and zero in on his basketball prowess. He’s going to pick Miami?... He [doesn’t] love the game.” (Simmons underwent his second surgery in Miami, his surgeons are on the staff of Miami University’s Jackson Memorial Medical Center.)
Bernie Lee, who became Simmons agent in 2023, reacted to a question from NetsDaily on Stephen A’s comment this way:
“Quite Frankly,” said Lee, known for his feisty defense of his cleints. “I think Stephen A is an idiot and I only wish he still had he’s TV show so I could sit in his audience and voice my opinion to him while he attempted to do his job…alas.. it got canceled.”
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