Struggling Simmons ejected as Nets lose again

Struggling Simmons ejected as Nets lose again

Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons’ struggles continued during a 117-112 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night in which he was ejected for arguing with referee Eric Lewis after playing just 18 minutes.

The loss was the fourth straight for the Nets, who continue to flounder without star forward Kevin Durant, who is out for several more weeks because of an MCL sprain in his right knee.

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn, when asked how the team could get Simmons back on track, pointed out that his struggles are coming on “both sides of the basketball.”

“We need him to be productive, and that is without the fouls,” Vaughn said. “That is helping us rebound the basketball. That is playing with poise and composure. That is pushing the pace for us.

“So unfortunately when you’re a really good basketball player, your list is long and so are the responsibilities. And hopefully, we’ll continue to ask of those things and challenge him and challenge this group to be able to answer those long lists.”

After racking up his first triple-double as a Net in Tuesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Simmons spent Thursday’s game mired in foul trouble and finished with seven points, four rebounds, six assists and four turnovers. It has been a repeated pattern of inconsistency for the former All-Star, who has missed 11 games this season because of various injuries.

After being called for his fifth foul with 8:47 left in the third quarter, Simmons continued chirping at Lewis and was quickly whistled for two technicals in the span of a few seconds. After the game, he declined to go into details about the sequence.

“I don’t want to say nothing because I ain’t trying to get another fine,” Simmons said.

Simmons said he believed he wasn’t getting a consistent whistle throughout the game on how screens were being set.

“I think if you’re going to call the game like that, then you got to be consistent,” he said. “I think it’s been like that all year. If you’re going to call a moving back, then you got to be consistent [on] both ends. Same with the holding.”

Aside from Simmons’ performance in Thursday’s game, the larger issue for the Nets is that he hasn’t been the All-Star-caliber player the organization thought it was getting when it traded for him just before last February’s deadline in a deal that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons has shown flashes of his old play, but his inability to stay on the floor and contribute at a high level has become problematic as the season has worn on.

While Vaughn remains hopeful that Simmons will find his way with more film work and an ongoing dialogue with the coaching staff, Simmons’ flaws are becoming more apparent as the Nets try to turn things around without Durant. The Nets go into Friday’s game against the Utah Jazz having lost four straight and have road games with the Golden State Warriors and Simmons’ old team, the 76ers, after that.

Simmons is averaging just 7.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists so far this year. So what else can the Nets do to get him going again?

“Same thing we’ve been doing is just give him a ton of confidence,” Nets guard Kyrie Irving said. “But also knowing that he’s mature enough to handle himself. He’s a very talented basketball player, and we could name all the superlatives, but we need him in the game and I think he understands that, especially during this stretch we’re going to need him in every game.

“I’ve gotten ejected before only once in my career. Tempers flare, you disagree with the refs, but the big picture is the most important thing, and on this team, I think Ben realizes that. But tonight, just his emotions got the best of him.”

Got a story or tip for us? Email Sports Gossip editors at tips@sportsgossip.com 

Want More From Sports Gossip? 

For all the latest breaking Sports Gossip, be sure to follow SportsGossip.com on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

You can view the original article HERE.

Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
There is money being made in live music – give it back out to the people
There is money being made in live music – give it back out to the people
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!