Ben Simmons Makes Bold Statement At Brooklyn Nets Media Day

Ben Simmons met with the media.

Sep 30, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) speaks to a reporter at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

On Monday, the Brooklyn Nets held media day in New York.

They will play their first preseason game on October 8 when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers.

Many eyes were on three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons, who is coming off a year where he only appeared in 15 games.

He finished last season with averages of 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per contest while shooting 58.1% from the field.

Sep 30, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) Brooklyn Nets Media Day at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Simmons made a bold statement when he met with YES Network (h/t Bleacher Report).

Simmons: "I think people forget me as a player when I'm healthy. I can play basketball. I'm pretty good."

Ben Simmons going on a revenge tour this year? 👀

"I think people forget me as a player when I'm healthy. ... I'm pretty good right?” pic.twitter.com/uXhrAXsQ8s

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 30, 2024

Simmons is entering his fourth season as a member of the Nets organization.

He was traded to the team (via the Philadelphia 76ers) during the 2021-22 season.

After missing that entire year, Simmons has only appeared in 57 games over the previous two seasons.

Ben Simmons when asked what being 14th in NBA history in triple-doubles says about his skillset:

"That I'm not that bad at basketball." pic.twitter.com/qe8ew8j2qn

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) September 30, 2024

The 28-year-old was the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and made three All-Star Games in his first four seasons playing.

He has career averages of 14.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 56.0% from the field in 332 regular season games for the 76ers and Nets.

https://t.co/g8LDDNpvve pic.twitter.com/cP5r6J21qN

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 30, 2024

The Nets will open up the regular season with a matchup in Atlanta against Trae Young and the Hawks on October 23.

They are coming off a season where they were the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 32-50 record (they missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2018).