It was James Harden who said it was going to be "scary hours" in Brooklyn once he, Kyrie Irving and James Harden were healthy and on the floor together for the Nets after he was traded from Houston, but that never transpired, as the three played just 16 games together.
Now, Ben Simmons wants to take over that mantra and form a new big three in Brooklyn.
"I think it's gonna be scary, having those guys alongside me," Simmons said of playing with Durant and Irving. "Multiple different weapons on the floor, and the pace we want to play at, it's going to be unreal."
Of course, it would help the Nets if Simmons could become more of a shooting threat himself. He never attempts 3-pointers, and last season shot just 61 percent from the free throw line, a bad mark for a guard who takes the vast majority of his shots at the rim.
But Simmons insists he has taken his extended time off to work on his shooting stroke.
"Non-stop working," Simmons said. "Just been in the gym, honestly. Just been in the gym working every day, just being consistent and getting that confidence."
Once Durant returns from his MCL injury, the Nets will be much closer to full strength and much more equipped to begin their climb out of a play-in spot and towards a playoff berth. Many will hope for a matchup with the 76ers, as the two conference rivals may have kicked it up a notch with last week's blockbuster trade. Simmons says he is looking forward to the challenge.
"I've been on the other side, so I've played Brooklyn in the first round and had them booing and Jared Dudley talking s--t to me," Simmons laughed. "That was a lot of fun…I want everybody to be looking at us like we're the best team. And we've got to get there. It's gonna take time, but I'm positive we can do that."
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