Ben Simmons is back, Zion Williamson is ready to be unleashed and first-round draft pick Dyson Daniels is ready to make his NBA debut.
There is no shortage of intriguing storylines to follow on Thursday morning as the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans face off at Barclays Center.
Starting with Simmons, the Australian will play his first official NBA game in 18 months, although Nets coach Steve Nash is not sure if the guard will get a full workload.
“We’ll see how the game goes,” Nash said of Simmons, who underwent back surgery in the offseason.
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“We don’t know how he’ll respond and how he’ll feel.”
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If Simmons is good to go though, Nash said the Nets have a clear idea on what kind of role the two-time All-Star will play in Brooklyn.
“The goal and the vision is for him to be the engine of this team [on] both sides of the ball,” Nash said.
Simmons was on reduced minutes in the preseason but showed a promising willingness to drive towards the rim, something Nash is hoping to see more of.
“That’s the message,” Nash said on encouraging Simmons to be aggressive with the ball.
“(He’s) able to put pressure on the defense, whether it’s pushing in transition or trying to break the paint.”
Pelicans coach Willie Green is even looking forward to seeing Simmons return, whom he described as a “walking triple-double” when speaking with reporters before the game.
New Orleans though have their own returning superstar in Williamson, who Green said has no minutes restriction “as of right now” after missing last season with a fractured right foot.
There will also be plenty of eyes, at least in Australia, on first-round draft pick Daniels.
The Bendigo native has struggled to stay on the court in the preseason, first injuring his ankle at the Summer League before aggravating the issue against San Antonio earlier this month.
Daniels will suit up on Thursday though for his first taste of official NBA action.
While the Australian still has plenty of room to grow on the offensive end, he has already started to make an impact in defense and it has not gone unnoticed.
“He’s just getting in there and playing hard first and foremost,” coach Green said of Daniels.
“He is competing, he’s mature for 19. He has a maturity level on the floor when he gets (the ball), and he is making good decisions for the most part.
“He’s another guy that just gets after it at practice. He works extremely hard. He has earned some minutes during the preseason.”
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