One of the questions that need an answer this season is how big of a role Ben Simmons can play for the Brooklyn Nets.
Based on what we’ve seen in the first three games, the signs aren’t encouraging. It’s early days, but if things don’t improve, the Australian could become an obstacle to the team’s lofty ambitions.
Simmonswho came to the Nets with a load of question marks, could not have had a worse start to the season.
His averages in the first three games are less than impressive given his abilities: 5.7 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, but it’s his foul trouble that has given him a dubious record that hasn’t been seen in the NBA for a long time.
Simmons‘ personal foul average is only one below that of his points. The Australian has fouled out of two of the three games so far, and according to Basketball Reference, that has not happened in the NBA since Matt Geiger in the 1995-96 season.
What’s worse is that the total number of fouls committed by Simmons in those three games (14) is double the number of shots taken by the player (7).
It seemed clear that, after a year without playing, Simmons was going to need some time to acclimate himself back to the NBA, but his re-entry is proving to be even tougher than expected.
His absence on offense is creating a lot of problems for the Nets and not even his defensive capabilities, severely limited by foul trouble, are saving him.
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