Ben Simmons and head coach Steve Nash each have said the Nets need the unique young star to be the engine of the team for them to win.
But after 16 months away from the game, that motor looked predictably rusty in the Nets’ opening two games of the season.
Simmons mustered just four points and fouled out against the Pelicans on Wednesday night in his first official game since June 20, 2021. It’s no coincidence that the Nets lost by 22. He was better in Friday night’s narrow win over the Raptors, putting up six points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but also went quiet for stretches as the Nets were outscored by three points in his 32 minutes.
The Nets claim the cure for what ails Simmons is just time.
