The Brooklyn Nets' 21-22 season was a one-on-one twist and turn, with the Big Three playing well last season but unfortunately losing the playoffs due to injury, and they wanted to make a comeback this season. Unfortunately, Irving was unable to return to the team for a long time, Durant was seriously injured again, and Harden's departure storm made the team unable to play at full strength. After the mid-season blockbuster deals, Harden and Millsapi left the team to replace Ben Simmons, Curry Jr. and Drummond. Curry Jr. and Drummond soon found their spot on the Nets and showed great strength. Unfortunately, Simmons has been plagued by multiple injuries and has not been able to come back. However, after entering March 2022, the nets' good news followed. First, Irving's home game ban was lifted, and simmons was about to return to the competition.
According to Shams Charania, a well-known journalist at The Athletic, multiple sources told him that Simmons had begun to participate in the stadium training program, and the time of his comeback was very close. It is reported that although it is still in the initial training stage after injury recovery, and the possibility of a pre-playoff comeback is unlikely, the Nets are very confident that Simmons will return this season. Simmons, 25, is going through one of the toughest seasons of his NBA career, starting with abuse from his fans and mental illness, being traded to the Nets and diagnosed with multiple injuries to his waist and back. But it looks like Simmons has withstood the test, and he's coming back to play for the Nets. It is worth mentioning that this is the first time simmons have not played in the entire season since missing his rookie season, and how long it will take for his form to recover is unknown.
Simmons' presence is also of great tactical importance to the Nets. Simmons, who is 2.11 meters tall and weighs 108 kilograms, is not good at shooting, but he has a strong ability to change defenses and propel. With top scorers like Irving, Durant, Curry Jr., mills, Simmons' projection shortcomings will be masked. His presence not only makes the Nets' small lineup more lethal, but also helps Irving, Curry Jr. and Mills on the defensive end. In addition, Simmons' ability to hold the ball and advance can also save durant and Irving's physical strength, falling into the position after the war Irving, Durant and Little Curry at the same time without the ball, coupled with Simmons' good game reading and passing ability, can maximize the Nets' offensive threat.
However, Simmons's shortcomings are obvious, and it is difficult to say whether he will become a burden to the team in the anxious moments of the game. When Durant and Irving need to single with the ball, Simmons' role on the court seems to have no other suitable role than blocking people. If the Nets put him on the court, it would undoubtedly clog up the team's space. How to deploy the use of Simmons is a problem that Steve Nash needs to solve as soon as possible, after all, the star's comeback is imminent, and the Nets can't use the playoffs to practice how to use Simmons reasonably. In any case, with Irving unblocked and Simmons nearing his comeback, the Nets have become one of the least wanted playoff opponents in the East. Many media have said that Irving and Durant are in hot form, the role player configuration is reasonable, and simmons' upcoming return to the Nets may be the lowest-key title favorite.