NBA pre-season bold predictions: Ben Simmons will be Ben Simmons again

Ben Simmons will be in a position to succeed

With the Brooklyn Nets, Ben Simmons will be in a position to succeed. I’m not sure that’s something we could’ve said about Simmons when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers before.

There will be almost no pressure on Simmons to perform on the offensive end playing next to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Believe it or not, that could open up the floor for Simmons on that end of the court. At the very least, it will take some of the talk around what he can’t do offensively.

Simmons, if he wants, will be able to focus on the defensive end and on playmaking – two of the stronger points of his game. And if he has added to his offensive game, that will only be an added punch for the Nets.

I believe there’s a chance we could see the best version of Ben Simmons this season with the Nets. And if can be that, the Nets should be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.