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Ben Simmons will not have a clear role with the Brooklyn Nets

By Zamir Bueno

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nets 123-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nets 123-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Ben Simmons will not have a clear role with the Brooklyn Nets
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 14: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nets 123-117, Ben Simmons will not have a clear role with the Brooklyn Nets. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Ben Simmons will not have a clear role with the Brooklyn Nets: Irving’s Availability

Durant isn’t the only player who hasn’t been able to stay on the court during his Nets tenure. Irving has only participated in 43.8 percent of all eligible games during his Brooklyn Nets tenure due to injuries and refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Irving only played 20 games during his first season as a Net due to a right shoulder impingement.

Irving began to experience pain in his right shoulder on November 4, 2019, in a game versus the Pelicans. He complained that he was unable to lift his arm to shoot the basketball due to the pain in his shoulder.

Consequently, the Brooklyn Nets sent Kyrie to get a cortisone shot on Christmas Eve in 2019, hoping that it would reduce the pain. Unfortunately, the shot didn’t alleviate the pain, and he had to get season-ending shoulder surgery to correct the impingement.

The 2019-20 season isn’t the only time Irving has been out of action for the Brooklyn Nets, as he has only played in 14 games this season because he continues to refuse to oblige the New York City vaccine mandate.

The New York City vaccine mandate states that a New York City sports team player must receive one COVID-19 vaccine shot in order to be eligible to play home games. Irving is against getting the vaccine because he believes in freedom of choice. He expressed his displeasure with companies firing employees who refused to get vaccinated, too.

Consequently, when one or both co-stars are out, the Nets have to accentuate the strengths of Simmons in order to remain competitive. Simmons is a player who thrives in transition. He has spent 25.9 percent of his possessions in this play type since 2017, averaging 4.4 per game.

Simmons has shot 62.6 percent from the field on 2.7 attempts per game. He has averaged 4.4 points in transition throughout his career – 27.7 percent of his scoring output.

In conclusion, Simmons’ role will solely depend on whether his co-stars are available or not.

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