Ben Simmons will not have a clear role with the Brooklyn Nets
By Zamir Bueno
There is a perception that Ben Simmons will be the Brooklyn Nets’ version of Draymond Green. David Vertsberger of SNY stated on February 10 that Simmons could be the connective tissue for the Nets, similar to how Draymond Green is for the Warriors.
However, Simmons will not have a defined role on the Nets due to his co-stars. Simmons is going to a team that already has Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Ben Simmons will not have a clear role with the Brooklyn Nets: Durant and Irving’s tendencies
Durant and Irving spend a significant amount of their possessions in isolation or as pick-and-roll ball handlers. Irving has spent a significant amount of time as a pick and roll ball handler, as the play type accounts for 35.8 percent of his possessions, averaging 8.2 per game. Irving has thrived in this role, shooting 46.8 percent on 6.7 attempts; he has generated 8.0 points per game.
Irving is not the only one that has spent a significant amount of time as a pick and roll ball handler. Durant has spent 16.6 percent of his possessions as a pick and roll ball handler, averaging 3.9 possessions per game. He has shot 47.1 percent from the field since 2015 on 2.9 attempts. This field goal percentage has allowed him to score 3.9 points – 14.6 percent of his scoring output.
Durant is not far behind Irving, as he has spent 15 percent of possessions in isolation, averaging 3.6 per game. He has shot 47 percent on 2.9 shots per game, creating 3.9 points. Durant’s isolation production has accounted for 14.6 percent of his scoring output.