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[Saba Sports News] Ben Simmons has shown glimpses of offensive assertiveness in the Nets’ first two games, but head coach Jordi Fernandez wants more consistency.
“I want his (shot) attempts up to 10-15 per game,” Fernandez said after Brooklyn’s 116-101 loss to Orlando. “I don’t want him to drive to pass; I want him to attack the rim aggressively.”
In the season opener against Atlanta, Simmons looked strong in the first half, scoring six points with five assists, but faded after halftime with no field goal attempts and four turnovers.
Against Orlando, he put up seven points on 2-of-5 shooting, but the team needs more than flashes if Simmons wants to stay Brooklyn’s primary ball-handler.
Simmons’ offensive aggression has been in decline since entering the league, with his shot attempts per 36 minutes dropping every season. His free-throw attempts with the Nets are at an all-time low—76 in 59 games.
He cited injuries and a need to regain physical confidence as factors. “You can’t do things on the court if your body isn’t ready,” he explained at training camp, adding that he’s finally starting to trust his body again.
Post-injury, Simmons has lost some of the athleticism that made him a dynamic playmaker in Philadelphia. However, Fernandez believes he can still be a force.
“When he gets aggressive, things will open up,” Fernandez said. “He’ll create for others, and Ben will be a big part of it.”