“Has That ‘It’ Inside Him”: Kyrie Irving Goes Bullish Over Ben Simmons, Has Huge Expectations From Him

There was a lot of discussion about Ben Simmons’ role on the team, his mental health, his back problems, and when fans could expect to see him play in a Brooklyn uniform after the Nets acquired him from the 76ers in February.

Ben Simmons is by far the greatest of the many unknowns surrounding the Brooklyn Nets this season. Given that Simmons hasn’t participated in NBA basketball in well over a year, it is impossible to predict how big of an influence he will have on the Nets. The former first-round selection was acquired by Brooklyn in the middle of the previous campaign, but he did not play for the team.

Kyrie Irving
Image Credits – SI

On Oct. 3, the Nets will play their first preseason game against Simmons’ previous club, with the regular season starting less than three weeks later.

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Kyrie Irving feels Ben Simmons has huge potential

Simmons has a lot of skill, according to Brooklyn guard Kyrie Irving, who is also interested in the guard’s upcoming position with the squad.

“Anything’s possible,” Irving said, per ESPN.

“He [Simmons] has that ‘it’ inside of him so now we just have to slowly develop him where he knows that he can just go out there and be himself. We want him to be his highest potential of himself as a player, be able to accomplish things out on the floor that he wasn’t able to do the last few years. And just have some fun being at peace around him.”

Ben Simmons is apparently not anticipated to be on a minutes limit when the season begins in October, despite his possible rustiness and previous injury history, according to Nets head coach Steve Nash.

Irving is optimistic that Simmons will be able to play at a high level once again since his mind should be more at peace in Brooklyn, drawing on his own experience with issues he has battled with in his own mental health in the past.

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