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Brian Goorjian says Ben Simmons' best NBA is yet to come – ESPN – ESPN
Ben Simmons gives off a nice behind-the-back pass to his teammate, then on the next possession steals the ball and throws it down leading to a 76ers timeout. (0:40)
Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian predicts the best is still yet to come for Ben Simmons as the 27-year-old enters what should be the prime of his NBA career.
Simmons averaged career lows of 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists across 42 games in his debut campaign for Brooklyn last season.
The poor return didn’t come as a huge surprise given Simmons had spent 470 days out of action due to a serious back injury, mental health struggles and a stand-off with the Philadelphia 76ers.
But with Simmons now fully fit and just as importantly mentally focused ahead of the 2023/24 NBA campaign, big things are predicted for 2016’s No.1 draft pick.
Simmons is already a three-time NBA All Star and has twice been named on the NBA All-Defensive first team – all feats achieved early in his career.
Goorjian is predicting even bigger things to come for Simmons.
“I’m hoping for more. He was a young man when he did what he did,” Goorjian told AAP.
“I remember in the first years with (then-76ers coach) Brett Brown, he made it look so easy.
“He was so gifted physically, his ability to pass the ball, his size – an NBA All Star.
“And you’re talking about a guy that was 21, 22 at that time.
“He’s going into his prime years now. These next three or four years, he should be a better basketball player than when he was 22 or 23.
“Now I’m not saying (he’s going to reach those heights) this year. But if he stays healthy and gets going again, I would expect to see a much better player than we saw before.”
For the first time in his professional career, Simmons says he is “100% committed” to wearing the green and gold as he eyes off Olympic glory at the 2024 Paris Games.
That’s music to the ears of Goorjian.
“As soon as I saw the ball go up in the preseason, I didn’t need to see a play, he just looks physically in a really good spot,” Goorjian said.
“Playing for Australia is something he wants to do, and it’s an Olympic year, so it’s not like you have to wait three years for it.”
There will be at least nine Australians in the NBA this season.
Xavier Cooks (Washington), Duop Reath (Portland) and Jack White (Oklahoma City) got waived on the eve of the season, but there’s still hope the trio will get snapped up by another NBA franchise.
Goorjian predicts Josh Giddey‘s stock will continue to rise at the Thunder after the young Aussie averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game last season.
“He’s a player the other players are excited to play with because he makes them all better, and that’s a sign of greatness,” Goorjian said.
Veteran Joe Ingles has joined Orlando following a season at Milwaukee, while Patty Mills is at Atlanta after being traded three times in the space of 10 days.
Dante Exum, the No.5 pick in the 2014 draft, joins Josh Green at Dallas after starring in Europe over the past two years, including a successful stint at Partizan Belgrade.
Jock Landale is primed for a big campaign after being traded from Phoenix to Houston.
Matisse Thybulle (Portland) and Dyson Daniels (New Orleans) are other Australians that will be in action when the season tips off on Wednesday (AEDT).
No.1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama is already a huge hit at San Antonio, but it is Boston, Milwaukee, Phoenix and defending champions Denver who are among the favourites to win the title.