The Brooklyn Nets could have additional firepower soon, following their first-round opening loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday. The Nets were defeated by the slimmest of margins, losing 115-114 despite Kyrie Irving’s monster game, with Jayson Tatum scoring a buzzer-beating layup to give Boston a 1-0 lead in the series.
Irving scored a game-high 39 points but Kevin Durant had a lackluster evening, shooting just 37.5 percent from the field and 20 percent from three. This isn’t expected to be the case throughout the series, and head coach Steve Nash could receive a timely boost in the form of Ben Simmons before it’s over.
Simmons Nearing Return
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the point guard is pain-free and is getting closer to a return. The journo also reported that Simmons plans on ramping things up in practice this week.
Simmons hasn’t played a single game since Game 7 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ second-round postseason series against the Atlanta Hawks, which they lost. The Australian was on the receiving end of lots of criticism and was publicly bashed by head coach Doc Rivers and teammate Joel Embiid.
He was particularly vilified for passing up a potential dunk and handing the ball to a teammate. This all led to him refusing to play for the Sixers and demanding to be traded.
The player also refused to participate in team practices, was suspended and fined, and cited mental health issues with claims he was unable to play as his head wasn’t right. He was ultimately traded to Brooklyn in a deal that saw James Harden go the other way.
Simmons’ Strengths
He hasn’t suited up for the Nets since the trade but it’s believed he could make his first appearance for the team very soon. The Nets are set to play the second game of their first-round series vs. Boston at the TD Garden on Tuesday night but Games 3 and 4 will be in Brooklyn and do not kick off until Saturday and Monday. That leaves Simmons with a week to prepare if he plans on playing Game 4.
Of course, the trade hasn’t changed anything about Simmons as a player. There are still concerns over his jump shot, which he has routinely shied away from. On the bright side, he will not be expected to do much of it as he will be the Nets’ number three option, behind Durant and Irving.
Simmons is a great facilitator and could take pressure off the Nets’ two superstars in that regard, freeing them up to impact the game in other ways. He is also a superior defender and could be of much use in guarding Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Able to defend all positions given his length, size, and quickness, the three-time All-Star could be the difference-maker for Brooklyn as they chase a championship.
Nets vs. Celtics Series Overview
The Celtics are favored on that front, with Caesars Sportsbook in NY offering odds of 7/1 on their title chances while the Nets are a wider 12/1. The NBA Playoffs give fans based in New York the opportunity to take advantage of the promotions and value odds from vendors such as Caesars.
In terms of the current series, the Nets and Celtics appear evenly matched so the addition of Simmons would give them an edge. Better play from Durant would also go a long way while Irving would simply need to play the way he’s been playing.
Kyrie vs. the Boston Fans
The guard got into it with Boston fans in Game 1, flipping them off on multiple occasions and hurling obscenities at one, in particular, after the game.
Speaking to reporters after the loss, Irving let it be known that he would be responding in kind to any vitriol.
“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” he said. “It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like — but it’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.
“And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start yelling ‘p—y’ or ‘b—-‘ and ‘f— you’ and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f— that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”
Asked whether the “energy” from the home fans brought the best out of him, he said:
“Embrace it. Embrace it. It’s the dark side. Embrace it.”
The former Celtics player could expect more of the same when he plays in front of the Boston crowd again on Wednesday. He has since been fined by the NBA.
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