Kevin Durant

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, ...

The team can urge him to be aggressive, but that decision is one that Simmons has to make on his own. If he's got a time to be aggressive, go be aggressive. In the case of Simmons, more aggression and assertiveness does not have to mean more jump shots.

"Trust in him, pass him the ball, tell him be aggressive...(But) I'm not here to babysit anybody," Durant told reporters Tuesday. :Ben knows that.

Despite having three All-Star appearances, two All-Defensive selections and one All-NBA Team on his resume, Simmons is one of the league's most consistently criticized players. He cited mental health issues for his refusal to play for the Sixers after being pilloried by fans for his dreadful performance in Philadelphia's 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the Atlanta Hawks. If he’s got a time to be aggressive go be aggressive.

Just trust in him, pass him the ball when he's open, tell him to be aggressive,” Durant said. “I mean, I don't do too much. Like I said, I'm not here to be ...

[open.spotify.com/episode/29jJ0q…](https://t.co/VNIF3Yh4Dz)– [11:50 AM](https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1579861976808755206) [Kevin O’Connor](https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA)@ [KevinOConnorNBA](https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA) That’s what makes a team is how we stick together through those times.”](https://hoopshype.com/social/)#NBA -via [Twitter @NYPost_Lewis](https://twitter.com/NYPost_Lewis)/ October 11, 2022 [“The number one thing is to support him and be there for him, give him belief,” Nash said. We gotta be patient with him, we hope it comes quickly, but in the event that it doesn’t we just gotta work through and stay patient and give him that confidence because it’s not easy, you know I can’t reiterate that enough.” -via [Clutch Points](https://clutchpoints.com/who-gives-a-s-if-you-make-it-or-miss-it-kevin-durants-message-to-ben-simmons-on-aggressiveness/)/ October 11, 2022 He knows what it is.” -via [Clutch Points](https://clutchpoints.com/who-gives-a-s-if-you-make-it-or-miss-it-kevin-durants-message-to-ben-simmons-on-aggressiveness/)/ October 11, 2022 We like you being aggressive.”](https://hoopshype.com/social/)#Nets -via [Twitter @NYPost_Lewis](https://twitter.com/NYPost_Lewis)/ October 11, 2022 If he’s got a time to be aggressive go be aggressive. Steve Nash spoke on this Thursday and today. It’s a team sport, but all the best ones have one, and we know who they are: Curry, Giannis, Luka, KD, Jokic, Embiid, Jimmy, LeBron. I think that’s what makes a team is how we stick together through those times.“ – [1:51 PM](https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1579892573455650816) [Erik Slater](https://twitter.com/erikslater_)@ [erikslater_](https://twitter.com/erikslater_) [Ben knows that if he’s got a time to be aggressive, go be aggressive. “Just trust in him, pass him the ball when he’s open, tell him to be aggressive,” Durant said.

Durant averaged 37.2 minutes per game last season in 55 games, saying at one point that he felt the Nets' season was “derailed” by an injury to his left MCL.

LeBron James also averaged 37.2 per game in 56 contests with the Lakers last season, and led the league in minutes per in each of his last two seasons in Cleveland. “It can be really challenging,” Nash said. Durant averaged 37.2 minutes per game last season in 55 games, saying at one point that he felt the Nets’ season was “derailed” by an injury to his left MCL. “Every coach that I play for wants to keep my minutes down,” Durant said. Translation: The Nets know that fewer minutes would be ideal for Durant, who missed the 2019-20 season after tearing his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. “It would be ideal if we could keep his minutes down.

Ben Simmons is finally back on the court. What advice does Kevin Durant have for him? The same as Butler and Embiid, 'be aggressive'!

At the age of just 26, Simmons still has a long way to go in his career. The irony behind the Slim Reaper’s words of wisdom is that Simmons has heard this before. Their new core of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Ben Simmons is sure to do some damage. In fact, he has received some nostalgic words of advice from his new teammate, Kevin Durant. Ben Simmons is finally back on the court. The same as Butler and Embiid, ‘be aggressive!’

Kevin Durant says the Nets need to trust Ben Simmons for him to be confident. The Brooklyn Nets are a wildcard this season. They have the talent to win a ...

Kay gave Skaggs the drugs that led to his overdose and was charged with one count of drug distribution resulting in death and one count of drug conspiracy. Ivey was one of the most explosive players in college basketball last season, if not the nation's most explosive and dynamic star, and he brings that quick-twitch athleticism and play-making ability to a Pistons team that is raw and full of potential. However, with a five-on-three advantage, and off a one-timer from the short slot, Stamkos evened the contest for Tampa Bay with 10:51 remaining in the second. It was grainy and clearly leaked by someone within the organization that was trying to expose how bad of an altercation it was between Poole and Green — and how much of the aggressor Green was in the moment. Kevin Gausman is a lock to lead the rotation, but Jose Berrios struggled to a 5.23 ERA in 2022, while Yusei Kikuchi pitched his way out of the rotation with a 5.19 ERA. Patrick Beverley, current Los Angeles Lakers guard and one of the bevy of NBA players with a podcast, was no different in his thoughts on the situation. The Padres' bullpen retired the last 14 Dodgers batters in the game after a Freddie Freeman walk in the fourth. We're going to continue to ride the backs of our O-line and our D-line." Supposedly the "internal discipline" is all the blowback Green will face because of the punch, but that hasn't stopped his peers and the NBA world as a whole from commenting on the situation. That suggested he would miss the first few games of the season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, leading to several questions about who would step in to the top-six role in his absence. On defense, he can be an anchor by himself, but his lack of shooting ability makes him a bit of a question mark on the other end. They have the talent to win a championship handily, but they can also implode during the season.

Generally, most NBA players want to play as many minutes as possible. More playing time means more opportunities to showcase one's skill set in games and ...

“I’m a basketball player, I enjoy to play, I want to play 48 minutes. They definitely have the talent to get far, and we'll see how they do next year. More playing time means more opportunities to showcase one's skill set in games and increased ability to show that one is an impactful player.

It used to be that a player would demand out of somewhere when the team he was on no longer — or never — did live up to his talent. It's when he sought, ...

What really must sting for PSG is that they essentially gave the club to Mbappe to keep him around — letting him pick the sporting director, manager, and have a say in transfers. It used to be that a player would demand out of somewhere when the team he was on no longer — or never — did live up to his talent. Reports are that Mbappe wants out in January, pushing to move to Madrid to finally consummate that long-lasting eyelash-batting relationship they’ve had for years.

The Phoenix Suns made it very clear that Cam Johnson was absolutely off-limits in the Kevin Durant trade talks.

If Johnson takes that next step, it will be huge for Phoenix as they look to capitalize on their championship window. “During the team’s trade pursuit of Kevin Durant this summer, sources said, Suns officials remained steadfast that Johnson was off limits. While he ultimately changed his mind and stayed put, it appears there is one reason, in particular, the Nets never struck a deal: Cam Johnson.

After his trade request became the big story of the summer, Kevin Durant wants to show that he has turned the page and is fully focused on the Brooklyn Nets ...

"I don't care if he ever shoots a jump shot for the Brooklyn Nets. If he's got a time to be aggressive go be aggressive. Durant is already exercising his leadership in the locker room.

Instead, Phoenix has aimed to supplant Crowder in its starting group with Cameron Johnson. During the team's trade pursuit of Kevin Durant this summer, ...

He knows what it is.” -via [Clutch Points](https://clutchpoints.com/who-gives-a-s-if-you-make-it-or-miss-it-kevin-durants-message-to-ben-simmons-on-aggressiveness/)/ October 11, 2022 We like you being aggressive.”](https://hoopshype.com/social/)#Nets -via [Twitter @NYPost_Lewis](https://twitter.com/NYPost_Lewis)/ October 11, 2022 [Cam Johnson on how often the Suns’ Game 7 blowout loss pops into his head: “All the time. [Cam Johnson, no longer wearing a brace on his hand, is working on some dribbling drills. If he’s got a time to be aggressive go be aggressive. [Ben knows that if he’s got a time to be aggressive, go be aggressive. [#Nets](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Nets)training camp vibes: “The vibes have been straight but who knows what the vibes will be if we hit a skid or if we’re not playing well or if somebody gets injured. “Just trust in him, pass him the ball when he’s open, tell him to be aggressive,” Durant said. It’s a team sport, but all the best ones have one, and we know who they are: Curry, Giannis, Luka, KD, Jokic, Embiid, Jimmy, LeBron. I think that’s what makes a team is how we stick together through those times.“ – [12:38 PM](https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1579874157256675333) [Erik Slater](https://twitter.com/erikslater_)@ [erikslater_](https://twitter.com/erikslater_) I guess Durant getting hurt in the Finals and Klay getting hurt twice rank second and third.

Ben Simmons' struggles shooting the ball have become a major narrative surrounding the talented playmaker, but superstar Kevin Durant is encouraging ...

“From me to him to Kai (Irving) to Cam (Thomas) to Patty (Mills), we’re always talking to each other about ‘look, we need to be more aggressive to look to score the ball.’ I mean, that’s the name of the game, putting the ball in the hoop. Durant said, “Just trust in him, pass him the ball when he’s open, tell him to be aggressive. Ben knows that if he’s got a time to be aggressive, go be aggressive.

On one end, Ben Simmons hounds an All-Star point guard before switching onto and locking down an All-Star swingman. As the shot clock winds down, he sniffs out ...

So when Ben is aggressive and get downhill and look for everybody and then put the ball in the rim it's going to be a plus for our team. Look to score the ball, that's the name of the game, is putting the ball in the hoop. And while never known as a scorer, Simmons has proven capable of taking on the aggressor mantle. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $46/month. Make no mistake, playing under the bright light of New York and sharing the floor with Durant and Irving comes with a spotlight rivaling any in the league. There's an aggressive version of Simmons hiding in that frame somewhere. Pass him the ball when he's open, tell him to be aggressive. Ben knows that if he's got a time to be aggressive, go be aggressive. As the shot clock winds down, he sniffs out a last-ditch action and rotates over to swat a shot off the backboard. In 44 minutes, he's scored a total of just 10 points with more turnovers (8) than made shots (5). That's the two-way impact Nets coach Steve Nash envisioned when Brooklyn finally completed the blockbuster trade last year that sent James Harden to Philadelphia for a package headlined by Simmons. We can't take that much time off, join a new group and just figure it out Day 1, so he needs time.

I mean, that's the name of the game, putting the ball in the hoop. So when Ben is aggressive to get downhill and looks for everybody and then puts the ball in ...

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After sitting the entire last season Ben Simmons is making a return to NBA basketball. So far he has played in two preseason games for the Nets.

If he’s got a time to be aggressive go be aggressive. Simmons also had 5 and 4 assists in those games. The Australian point guard took 9 shots in total, scoring 4 and 6 points in each game respectively.

Kevin Durant said the vibes surrounding the Brooklyn Nets are great right now, but he knows it could change once they hit some adversity.

1 draft pick had not played for the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/sixers) in 2021-22 to that point and missed the rest of the season once he got to Brooklyn. [Ben Simmons](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/reggie-miller-social-media-blast-ben-simmons-missing-game-4) joined the team last February in the blockbuster James Harden trade. The Nets are 0-2 in the preseason so far and lost those two games by 48 combined points as Simmons started alongside Durant. Still, even during his positive assessment, Durant mentioned that “I’m not here to be babysitting anybody,” via In 2022-23, however, the Nets have players who have never taken an NBA court together. The Nets have certainly faced plenty of obstacles – some self-inflicted – since he arrived in the 2019 offseason.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant, arguably the greatest players of their NBA generation, lead two of the most combustible teams in the league, and both players ...

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The Brooklyn Nets enter this season as the most unpredictable team in the NBA. There is a mountain of skepticism surrounding the team's ability to mesh ...

I bring what I bring to the table and each individual brings that as well.” However, some would argue the most successful teams have effective leaders, with the top players finding ways to bring the best out of their teammates. I come in here and every rep matters to me, so I want everybody to feel the same way.” While Durant is a polarizing personality among NBA fans, his effort level and dedication to the game have never been questioned. It’s easy to be cool and everything is positive right now but we’ll see as the season goes on.” So to get back in the swing of things is cool.