Over the last five games, Ben Simmons has the best net rating (+21.7), defensive rating (106.6) and offensive rating (127.9) with the Brooklyn Nets. What has changed after the first two weeks of this season? Kyrie Irving gave his answer when asked why Simmons is playing so well.
“I think he can probably answer that better,” Irving said. But my teammate, when I see him smile, relax and be competitive, he is himself. “So I feel like he’s the best version of himself when he can be himself and trust that we have his back.”
Based on a few NBA betting sites, Ben Simmons and the Nets now have the third-best odds to win the championship in 2023. Sportsbooks are giving the best odds to the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
Ben Simmons and the art of getting someone to cut down the door. pic.twitter.com/JpozsEFlWu
— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) December 27, 2022
Ben Simmons is the eighth leading scorer on the Nets, but is currently averaging 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game, leading the team in both metrics. After all, there’s something to that, as the three-time All-Star has a top-10 chance to win the 2023 Player of the Year.
In 24 games this season, Simmons is averaging 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Additionally, he is shooting a career-high 61.2 percent from the field. Despite posting a career-low Player Efficiency Rating of 15.8, the Nets guard is posting a true shooting percentage of 60.3 percent, the highest of his five-year career.
Ben Simmons leads the Nets in scoring (+21.7), defensive rating (106.6) on a nine-game winning streak.
In addition, the Nets guard is an important player for the team. It should go without saying. His positive impact is not always visible on the scoreboard. If he can score more points per game, though, Brooklyn will be a better playoff contender.
Ben Simmons finished the night with four points, nine rebounds, eight assists, three steals and one block in 34 minutes of action in Brooklyn’s 125-117 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
The Nets are 20-7 since Jacques Vaughan took over.
The best record in the NBA during that span. pic.twitter.com/uRRx44nInl
— NBA Muse (@NBAMuse24) December 27, 2022
“We stripped down our playbook and created a little momentum,” Nets coach Jacques Vaughn said after the win. “Guys are playing with a free mind and they’ve done an unbelievable job of focusing on the basketball.”
Under Vaughn, the Nets are a league-best 20-7 since Steve Nash was fired. They have the third-best scoring margin, fourth-best offensive rating, third-best net rating and best field goal percentage in the NBA.
Brooklyn is currently averaging 114.4 points per game and allowing just 111.3 points per contest. Defensively, the Nets will not be the same team without Ben Simmons.
