The Brooklyn Nets’ ambitious project could receive a fatal blow tonight (Monday-Tuesday, 2 p.m.), if the team loses to Boston in the fourth game as well and is relegated in the first round. The Nets come after three disappointing games, with their backs to the wall, with Kevin Durant in very bad shape at the moment of the truth of the season and even Kyrie Irving is not living up to expectations.
Still, it seems that the team is mostly busy with those who will not play, and have not played in previous games – Ben Simmons. The forward, who is recovering from injury, was supposed to be fit for the game and make his debut this season, but reported back pain last night and will be out again. Simmons’ avoidance of the game has made him a target, and he has since come under heavy criticism from commentators.
But now it turns out that the reviews also come from home. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Brooklyn management “are angry at the saga that has developed around Simmons,” claiming that for the actor, “this is already a hoist of a white flag for the season.”
Nets coach Steve Nash tried to calm the spirits, though hinted that even if Brooklyn wins tonight and the series reaches a fifth game, it is not at all certain that Simmons will return. “The truth is, I did not expect him to play tonight,” Nash said today ahead of the game. “Of course we’m disappointed he’s not playing, but I do not want him to sound like I’m disappointed with him. His back is his back.”
Brooklyn is also preoccupied with how to improve the numbers and efficiency of Kevin Durant, who is having a hard time facing the Celtics’ iron defense. Durant scored just 16 points and took just 11 shots from the field in Game 3, and if he is dismissed in a sweep, there are those who claim it will hurt his legacy. Steve Nash claims otherwise. “It will not hurt him in any way even if he is postponed tonight. True, he had three less good games, but he’s going through a slightly harder period, and he’s a huge load. It will not really affect how he will be remembered in the NBA annals.”
ESPN reports that Simmons and his agent met with Hunts professional manager Sean Marks and Brooklyn management to discuss how to deal with the mental and physical hurdles and get the player back on the field. The Australian expressed a desire to play for the Nets and the parties talked about how they would work to make it happen. Both sides believe Simmons had good weeks of training, but there are still physical and mental obstacles that need to be addressed. Bents believe Simmons has been taking care of his physical and mental side in recent months and understand there is more work to be done.