EThe transfer between Nets y los Sixers which involves on the one hand James Harden and on the other to Ben Simmons It was one of the big news of the season. Somehow it changed the perception with which both teams were seen and suddenly Philadelphiabecome the favorite Brooklyn ceased to be.
Much more so when it was confirmed that Simmons suffered a back injury that could miss the rest of the season and not get to debut with his new franchise until next year.
Apparently all that has changed radically with the information from journalist Brian Windhorst of ESPN, who has given, more or less, clues to a possible return of the Canadian point guard to the courts. And be soon.
“They confirmed to me that Simmons’ goal is to play in the fourth, fifth or sixth game of the series against the Celtcs, although he has the fixed idea that it will be as soon as possible,” Windhorst said. Apparently Simmons still does not play five-on-five games, but he is very close to it and it would be the definitive step to think about his future. debut in these Playoffs.
What seems to have changed everything is the player environment, tremendously pessimistic during all the time but optimistic with his return from a week ago. Although perhaps the question is not whether he will return or not, but whether it is convenient for him to do so.
Returning after a long inactivity is always complicated. Do it in a match Playoffs is almost a recklessness. And on top of that, against the Celtics, which is one of the best defending teams in the NBA.
Simmons has not played all season, between his ‘rebellion’ in the Sixers and his injury in the Nets. You have to be very sure of your recovery and his state of form to put him in a fourth or fifth game of a series as tough as the one between the Nets and the Celtics. That, or do it when the match is decided, of course.
In any case, if the tie between Celtics and Nets did not have enough incentives to be one of the most attractive of these Playoffs –rivalry, two candidate teams, Durant, Irving or Tatum on track…– The possible debut this season of Ben Simmons in the Nets adds one more and could even give clues to the player’s future in Brooklyn.
