Inglewood, California – Ben Simmons opened a new chapter with the Clippers on Tuesday, practicing with the team for the first time after being renounced by the Brooklyn Nets last weekend.
The number 1 selection is expected in the 2016 draft to debut on Wednesday at home against Memphis or Thursday in Utah. He has not played since February 1.
“I feel great, ready to work,” Simmons said. “I just want to play basketball at a high level and I feel that will happen here.”
He left the Nets, who have a record of 19-34 and are 12th in the east, for the clippers, which are 29-23 and sixth in the west.
“It is easier when the teams are transparent and understand who you are and what the team can help and how I can help them,” Simmons said. “I feel comfortable. I know most of the team’s boys.”
Simmons, 28, joins a veteran squad led by Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Norman Powell.
“Defensively, it is very different when you are on the court with many veterinarians. It will be unique to have many types like that on the court,” Simmons said. “He won’t take too long to have one idea of the other on the floor.”
One of his new teammates is his Australian partner Patty Mills, who recently joined the clippers.
“I know Patty since he was young,” said Simmons, who was born in Melbourne. “To have a familiar face like that help, but the boys have been great. Everyone has been very welcoming.”
Simmons went to the Nets of Philadelphia in an agreement for Harden on the exchange deadline of 2022. But the three times All-Star could never join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court that season. He hurt his back trying to get in shape after sitting the first half of that season.
The injuries, mainly due to lower back nerve damage, continued to limit Simmons. He reached the middle of the 2022-23 season, during which Durant and Irving were changed and played only 15 games last season.
Simmons played in 33 of the 52 Net games this season, began 24, and averaged 6.2 points and 6.9 assists.
The Nets renounced him last Saturday, and the parties agreed to a purchase of his contract. He is winning $ 40 million this season and is scheduled to be a free agent this summer.
Coach Tyronn Lue considers the arrival of Simmons as a new beginning for clippers.
“It will take a little time about rotations and how we play the boys together, but from the point of view of basketball, I am a little excited,” he said.
Defensively, Lue says that Simmons expects Simmons to protect the best opposition players.
“It’s ready for the challenge,” Lue said.
Simmons like that the clippers see him first as the owner, although sometimes he has also played the center.
“For me, that is really my position,” he said. “I see the floor, I want my boys to be easy for my boys and control the rhythm. At the defensive end, I want to be a dog, I want to stop and press the ball.”
The clippers made multiple movements on the exchange deadline, acquiring Bogdan Bogdanovic, Mills, Drew Eubanks and Marjon Beauchamp.
“I think everyone will only be pushed and will be better and expect greatness,” Simmons said. “That is my expectation.”
