Inside The Nets

After an unexpected starting gig, Ben Simmons prefers to begin Nets games as a starter: “I’m more useful”

Simmons feels he can produce more for the Nets as a part of the starting unit.

Marin Gabric

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Considering the trickiness of his back issues, the Brooklyn Nets have been straight-up planning to restrict any kind of workload coming for Ben Simmons. The star swingman has notably missed 38 straight games as he nursed a nerve impingement in his lower back.

But on Tuesday night against the Dallas Mavericks, as he made a return to the rotation of the team for the final part of its back-to-back outings, Ben was interestingly inserted into the team's starting lineup. With Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) and Cam Johnson (adductor) out due to injuries, Jacque Vaughn suddenly came up to a late decision to slot Simmons in alongside Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton.

Ben calls for a standard starting gig

In his first start this season since Nov. 6, the date in which he sustained his nerve impingement complication, Ben still came out productive with nine points, nine boards, and seven assists in 20 minutes of limited play as the team's starting power forward.

Should the team continue to ask for more of his service in the wake of unwanted injuries, Simmons confidently feels that he can readily embrace the starting gig once again and be more productive in the said position.

"That's my preference. When they tell me I can go, I'm able to play, even though I have the restriction, that's what I wanna be. I want to be starting,” he said after Brooklyn's 119-107 loss against the Mavs.

"I think I'm more useful starting than on the bench.”

A risky preference to consider

Potentially allowing Simmons to regain his starting spot once again offers a high-risk, high reward for the Nets. While his all-around wonders, playmaking, and defense complement perfectly with his fellow starters, the team still has to be wary of the probability that he'll aggravate his back complications.

But considering that the season's trade deadline is approaching and there is a significant chance that they will have a new look beyond Thursday, this might eventually open up a much greater possibility for Ben to gradually work his way back as a starter.

Only time can tell what will unfold as both Simmons and the Nets still need to be mindful of their partnership and availability as they move along for a needed turnaround in the second half of 2023-24.

Brooklyn struggles in a 107-119 loss to the visiting Dallas Mavericks

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Marin Gabric
MARIN GABRIC

Marin's love for writing developed in high school but was furthered in college when he took a number of creative writing courses. Doing sports writing felt like an extremely natural continuation, as it furthered his passions in both writing and basketball.  Marin loves the feeling of looking at stats after a game and analyzing what each team could've done better or what they excel in compared to the rest of the league. And the ability to do so for his favorite team, the Brooklyn Nets, is quite special in itself. 

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