Kevin Durant Urges Ben Simmons to Be Aggressive

The Brooklyn Nets want Ben Simmons to be aggressive

Joey Linn | Oct 11, 2022

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Just like the Philadelphia 76ers did, the Brooklyn Nets want Ben Simmons to be aggressive. Often times the biggest flaw in Simmons' game is his timidity, even more so than his lack of an outside shot. While his outside shot is still nonexistent, his size advantage creates mismatches that Brooklyn wants him to attack. In the case of Simmons, more aggression and assertiveness does not have to mean more jump shots.

When asked how to make Simmons more confident, Kevin Durant told reporters, "Trust in him, pass him the ball, tell him be aggressive... I'm not here to babysit anybody. Ben knows that. If he's got a time to be aggressive, go be aggressive. Who gives a shit if you miss it? We like you being aggressive."

Durant and the Nets understand that it will be Simmons who ultimately determines the level of aggression he plays with, and they can only push him so far. The team can urge him to be aggressive, but that decision is one that Simmons has to make on his own. If he does, it should unlock more offensive possibilities for a Nets team with several weapons on that side of the ball.

Not interested in babysitting anybody, Durant has made his message for Simmons clear. The team has confidence in him, and they want him to have confidence in himself.

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Published Oct 11, 2022

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn32@sbcglobal.net Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis, insight, and reporting Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Receiving a media credential during the 2021-22 season, Joey has experience interviewing NBA players, and developing exclusive stories from these interviews. Having appeared on several different NBA podcasts over the last four seasons, Joey is now hosting his own podcast for The Sporting Tribune. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Now graduated, Joey is covering the NBA full-time across multiple platforms. Credentialed by the Clippers, Joey covers the team daily with articles, podcasts, and video breakdowns on YouTube. With four years of sports media experience, Joey provides expert insight and analysis for NBA fans across the league.

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