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"You look like the old Ben Simmons" - Ben Simmons impresses Kevin Garnett with revamped performance for the Nets
Ben Simmons has gone through plenty of adversities in the past few years, headlined by the fiasco with the Philadelphia 76ers and his injury struggles. Ahead of the 2023/24 season, Ben is fully healthy and is ready to be the leader for the Brooklyn Nets.
Fans and former NBA players, including the legendary Kevin Garnett, were impressed with Ben's return to full health, and after his outstanding performances during the preseason and the first two games, Garnett publicly praised the Australian on his show.
“You look great out there. You look like the old Ben Simmons. And he looks motivated; he looks very much into it,” Garnett said on his show. “Keep going, Ben. Real s**t, man. You know you have hurdles in this s**t, and you figure it out. I’m glad you figured it out. Keep going, salute to you.”
Simmons is looking refreshed.
Simmons, a former All-Star and All-Defensive Team player, possesses the potential to reclaim his past glory. His tenure with the 76ers concluded on a sour note, struggling to find his rhythm in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks.
Ben appears to have addressed his areas of improvement while keeping his core strengths. He is poised to maintain his role as a playmaker and elite defender while also exploring opportunities for fadeaway jump shots and potentially, more attempts from beyond the arc.
He looked like a refreshed version of himself during the preseason and the first couple of games as he was moving well and communicating with his teammates. His natural feel for the game was evident in how he went through the offensive sets.
Praise from Garnett matters
During his playing career, KG was hard to please because he had high standards for himself and his teammates. Back in April 2023, Garnett told Ben Simmons that he wanted the Aussie to get back to his roots and rediscover himself.
Garnett is witnessing the fruits of Ben's labor, acknowledging his resilience in the face of criticism and his dedication behind the scenes. The Big Ticket's public appreciation on Twitter carries weight, providing a positive boost for Ben, especially coming from a legendary figure in the NBA.
“Shout out, Ben Simmons, you took last year and all the criticism like a G and jumped back in your bag. Keep going, bro.”
