“It’s too early to tell when Ben will be on the court,” Marks said.
“So until we see him and the physical shape he is in, we won’t be putting him out on the court as it will be detrimental to his health and camaraderie that can be built between the team.
“We have to get him a few practices and see where he is physically and go from there.”
Marks said he hadn’t discussed how the team would use him, considering Kyrie Irving is the main point guard and ball-handler for the Nets. This could result in Simmons playing more as a forward.
Loading
“I’m not worried about [a position] for Ben as he does a lot of things on the court, whether handling the ball or not, that help us and fill some needs,” Marks said.
“We have several players who could serve the role as primary ball-handler. We are very excited about the pace Ben can bring to the team, the defensive ability to arguably guard positions one to five, the elite passing ability and vision and his ability to get into the paint and finish.
“He can push the break and lead the break or be on the wing, running the lane. He gives us a lot of weapons that will be exciting for not just [coach] Steve [Nash] but the entire group.”
Shooter Seth Curry and centre Andre Drummond, who came with Simmons in Friday’s blockbuster trade for James Harden, could join the team immediately if they prove to be up to speed and ready to contribute.
Loading
Harden, who was out with a hamstring injury, isn’t expected to immediately play for Philadelphia, with the earliest possible debut game the home clash with Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers said Harden’s arrival didn’t put any further pressure on him to lead the club to success as he put the most pressure on himself.
“Let me repeat this to you and everybody else, one more time,” Rivers said.
“No one else can put more pressure on myself than I do. It will never happen. I’m in this to win. I’m always in this to win and when you make that decision, you understand that there’s gonna be pressure with it and there should be because if it wasn’t, everyone would be champions.
“I think the reason we did this deal is so we can jump into the fray.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
‘Ben 10’ era begins as Simmons takes new jersey number at Nets
Source: Philippines Alive
