Ben Simmons has yet to take the court for the Clippers, but after his first full practice with the team, he looks fresh and rejuvenated. Both sides are counting on a change of scenery to help him rediscover his All-Star form.
Simmons is coming off a turbulent 2 1/2 seasons with the Brooklyn Nets marked by injuries, unfulfilled expectations and criticisms. Now, he’s looking to move past those struggles and contribute to a Clippers team that holds the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference just days before the All-Star break.
“I just want to compete, regardless of all the bulls—- said online,” Simmons said. “I’m here to do that, and playing alongside some of these great players… Everyone’s just going to push each other to be better and expect greatness.”
The Clippers (29-23) are rolling the dice on the oft-maligned Simmons, who sees the move as a comfortable fit. He joins a veteran squad led by Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, and James Harden — whom he was traded for at the 2022 deadline, sending him to Brooklyn and Harden to Philadelphia.
Making the decision to come here, I felt wanted,” Simmons said. “That’s something you want to feel when you go to work.”
Simmons has welcomed the move to L.A., which he anticipated because of his longtime relationship with Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. The two nearly connected in Philadelphia when Lue was a previous coaching candidate, and their relationship goes even further back to when Simmons was with Klutch Sports, which represents Lue.
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Simmons had several suitors after being released by the Nets and said conversations with Lue and the franchise’s honesty about his role ultimately attracted him to L.A.
“Everyone was just very transparent,” Simmons said. “They know what I’m capable of and what they expect from me. I’m willing to give that and ready to go.”
Simmons’ immediate role is to come off the bench as the point guard for the second unit. His main focus will be pushing the ball and providing a defensive presence, bolstering one of the NBA’s top two defenses and creating tough matchups as the team enters the second half.
“I spoke to a few different teams, that was the first thing they [the Clippers] said to me, ‘We see point guard,’” Simmons said. “That’s my position… I want to get my guys going, get them easy buckets, control the pace. And then, on the defensive end, I want to be a dog.”
Simmons has played in 33 of the Nets’ 52 games, starting 24. He’s averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists over 25.4 minutes per game.
Lue acknowledges it will take time to figure out where Simmons fits in the scheme, saying, “You have a point guard who can play both center and point, so it depends on which unit he’s with.” There is an expectation that there will be a learning curve as Simmons integrates into the rotation and gets a feel for how the Clippers want the second unit to play.
He is one of several newly acquired players, joining others added around the trade deadline. Lue believes the organization excels at helping players adjust to a new setting, offering them a much-needed reset.
“Giving someone a fresh start,” Lue said of the players who come to the organization. “It’s always good to get a fresh start and start over. Not worry about the past and what you’ve done in the past. Get to a new place where you know you’re welcome.”
At 28, a more experienced Simmons says he doesn’t let outside chatter — especially on social media — affect his mentality. He’s completely avoiding it, instead focusing on his journey toward becoming true to himself.
“I really don’t look at it,” Simmons said of social media. “Once you’re comfortable knowing who you are as a person, it’s irrelevant — all of that, the extra noise. I try to stay away from it.”
Simmons’ health has been a concern for much of his career and remains so, primarily because of lingering nerve damage in his lower back. A combination of back, calf and knee soreness this season has forced him to miss almost 20 games, a pattern that has become all too familiar.
Simmons says he isn’t dealing with any limitations and is ready to play, but questions remain about when he will make his Clippers debut.
The decision will come tomorrow after he meets with the training staff, who will have the final say on whether he plays at home Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies or waits until Thursday’s game against the Jazz in Utah. If he suits up Wednesday, he might sit out against Utah because he has yet to be cleared for back-to-backs.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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