Mikal Bridges on why Ben Simmons is valuable for the Brooklyn Nets

Ben continues to be extremely important for the Nets.

The Nets lost to the Celtics by 50 in the final game before the All-Star break. Ben Simmons was a notable absence because the Nets medical staff wanted him to rest on the second night of a back-to-back. Mikal Bridges gave Ben his flowers because the team needed him.

Brooklyn needed Simmons in the lineup because he helps the Nets settle down on offense with his playmaking, and on the other side, Ben is a fantastic defender. While Dennis Schroder has been a superb addition from the trade deadline, he is not yet familiar with Coach Jacque Vaughn’s offense like the Aussie guard.

“A guy like Ben who plays, and he’s not here today. It’s a different dynamic when he has it. Nobody plays or guards Ben like any player on our team unless it’s a big. Ben has it a lot, and when we have Ben, it’s not really a super offense we’re running,” Mikal said after the embarrassing loss to Boston. 

“He gets it, goes, and we kinda play off him. Guys back up so he can dribble and dribble handoff. We don’t have him out here, so it’s kinda like we can’t play like that. We can still play fast but getting us success in doing stuff, and we didn’t have that tonight.”

Ben’s impact on the Brooklyn offense

The Nets are a different team whenever Ben is playing as the playmaker. He spearheads a fast-paced offense because he often rebounds and pushes the ball as soon as possible. That helps get open looks for the rest of the team, as they can shoot transition threes or cut into the paint for layups.

Simmons loves doing that because Coach Vaughn prefers that play style. The difference between having Ben and Spencer Dinwiddie was like night and day for the offense because the now-Laker played more of a methodical style with his time as Brooklyn’s floor general.

Ben is still a fantastic defender

Simmons’ playmaking gets the spotlight nowadays, but people should not forget he’s still a great defender. His length helps keep opponents from driving into the paint, and Ben’s speed helps him chase smaller guards through screens. Even big men have a tough time playing against the LSU product because he can withstand contact.

Ben is a valuable player for the Nets, and his health after the All-Star break can determine what will happen in Brooklyn’s goal of making it into the postseason. Mikal trusts Simmons to contribute, and Cameron Thomas will be there to keep evolving as a go-to guy alongside them.

What we learned from the Nets' embarrassing 50-point loss to the Celtics