The Brooklyn Nets were swept by the Boston Celtics on Monday night after they were unable to cash in on Jayson Tatum’s exit from the game due to fouls. The Brooklynites seemed ready to at least win one game of this series, but the C’s had different plans, wrapping things up with a big performance at Barclays Center.
Everybody thought the Nets would have Ben Simmons back to try to steal one win from Boston, but the point guard didn’t even sit down with his teammates. This situation raised many eyebrows around the league and many people had something to say about it.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reveals that the Australian player told team officials that he still carries issues from last season when he collapsed against the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the playoffs. Simmons couldn’t make crucial shots and didn’t seem to have the intention to at least try, which earned him a lot of criticism.
That was the main reason he decided to stop playing in Philadelphia, and it seems like it was the reason why he opted out of Monday night’s game against the Celtics.
One of the Nets’ biggest of the offseason is can they work three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons back onto the floor — healthy in body and mind.
With the Nets facing elimination on Monday in Game 4 against the Celtics, Simmons pulled himself from his expected season debut, with sources saying he informed team officials on Sunday that his back felt sore. Everyone around the Nets organization had been given the impression that Simmons had zeroed in on Monday’s Game 4 as his debut date, and the franchise certainly was left searching for answers because of his inability to step on the floor in Brooklyn and what transpired in the first round.
Sunday’s events triggered frustration and disheartenment throughout the organization, multiple sources said. The fallout of Simmons being ruled out Sunday led to a meeting among franchise officials, Simmons and his agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, on Monday in Brooklyn. According to sources, Simmons told those in the room that a mental block exists for him, dating in part to last summer’s postseason, which is creating stress that could serve as a trigger point for his back issues. He added that he does want to play basketball and play for the Nets as he works on solutions in regard to his well-being.
This is a big issue for Simmons and the Nets. Some say he found another excuse to avoid getting swept by Boston, others said he gave up on his teammates again and some even claim that he won’t play another basketball game again.
Simmons was expected to help Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant win the championship this season, but after a tumultuous season, none of that happened. The Nets have a big challenge this offseason and Simmons must be ready to start the next campaign, where the Nets will have a lot of eyes on them.
