Ben Simmons has claimed ahead of the Nets’ regular season that he will be “better” than his former All-Star self.
The Nets are starting to see progress.
On Saturday, Lonnie Walker IV said Simmons has been getting back to his old form, doing “a lot of things he hasn’t done in the last two years.”
“His offensive side is going to come, but his defensive energy has been amazing.” Walker added. “His ability to pass is one of the best attributes in my opinion. He sees the floor. He sees everybody and it can be very dangerous to stop what he does.”
Walker admitted that Simmons has helped him be more aggressive on the court so far in his time with the Nets, who are set to start the season on Wednesday night against the Cavaliers.
“When you have players like Ben who are such great playmakers, it kind of makes you more on the aggressive end on the offensive flow of the game,” Walker said. “Just knowing what I’m capable of doing. Catch and shoot threes. Drive and get into the lane. With Ben in transition, him grabbing a rebound, and I go. He makes the game a lot easier to play.”
The Nets are still in the process of figuring out their rotations ahead of the season, but one advantageous pairing appears to be Simmons and center Nic Claxon.
It has been clear to head coach Jacque Vaughn that the two can play together, and both can do a lot — bring the ball up, screen, pick and roll, defend on both ends — but there is still more to be figured out.
“I’ve told this group is we have to stop and we can’t look at it as a negative … if we have an open mind. In today’s game, with the five out, we can play five out still with those guys,” Vaughn said Saturday.
“You saw the other night we had Nic Claxton in the corner. He’s more comfortable playing in the corner than he was a year ago. That’s a weapon for us. We get [Simmons] to play in the pocket. Those two can play together.”
Cam Johnson, who was a full participant in practice on Saturday, agreed, believing that more time on the court will be beneficial for Simmons and those playing with him.
“He allows us to do some pretty cool things and for me as a shooter there’s nobody else really I’d rather play with,” he said.
Walker said Saturday his wrist injury is feeling better.
“It’s doing its job to say the least. Feeling good. Playing good,” Walker said. “It’s great when you’ve got your teammates egging you on to be aggressive on both ends on the floor. Just playing with confidence.”
Walker is one of the veteran minimum players fighting for playing opportunities with the Nets after the team took him on in the offseason. Walker believes he is learning what his role could look like with his new team.
“As far as I know it’s on the more so end of just bringing energy onto that second unit whether it’s running, defensive aggressiveness, rebounding, transition. Just doing what I know I can do. Just play by my strengths,” he said.
Walker spent last season with the Lakers after spending his first four years in the league with the Spurs.
Dennis Smith Jr. did not practice on Saturday with the team, but his availability could change come Wednesday.
“We still got a few more days leading into opening night and I’ll never second-guess that young man whether he’s gonna be available or not,” Vaughn said.
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