BY GEORGE DICKIE
For the past two seasons, the Brooklyn
Nets seemed to lead the NBA in
dysfunction.
When Kyrie Irving's mouth wasn't
getting him suspended, Kevin Durant was
making clear he and head coach Steve Nash
couldn't exist on the same team and James
Harden just wanted out. Period.
When the former MVP got his wish in February 2022, his
trade to the Philadelphia 76ers brought back one of the league's
most enigmatic players in Ben Simmons. And now the 6-foot-
10-inch Australian has been one of the keys to the Nets' recent
winning streak.
On Dec. 23, he was instrumental in shutting out two-time
MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the fourth quarter of the Nets'
118-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, and four days later he
held Donovan Mitchell to 5-of-16 shooting in Brooklyn's 125-
117 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
These aren't contributions that show up in any box score but
fans, opposing players and certainly his teammates notice.
Still, the defense- and passing-first point guard has managed
to put up some impressive secondary numbers during his team's
streak. In the 10 wins from Dec. 7-28, he had the team's best
net rating (+21.7) and defensive rating (106.6) as well as the top
offensive rating (127.9) among the regular rotation players. Not
bad for someone not known for his shooting.
Simmons and the Nets can be seen on national television
twice this week: visiting his former teammates the 76ers
Wednesday, Jan. 25, on ESPN, and at home against the New
York Knicks, Saturday, Jan. 28, on ABC.
Simmons' play is turning
heads in Brooklyn
• FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 23 - 29, 2023 •
Max Thieriot stars in a
special airing of "Fire
Country" Sunday
on CBS.
YOUR WEEKLY GUIDE TO TV ENTERTAINMENT
