SAN DIEGO — Coming into Nets coaching camp, a lot of the speak has been in regards to the level guard duel. Seems they’ll have twin level guards, as a substitute.
After all of the questions on who’d get the nod between Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons, each veterans will begin collectively when Brooklyn ideas off the preseason Tuesday in opposition to the Clippers.
Regardless of spending most of their open runs and the early phases of coaching camp operating separate groups, head coach Jordi Fernandez had them working alongside one another in Saturday’s follow — and can decide to have them do it once more Tuesday at Frontwave Area.
“They performed collectively. And we’re going to enter the primary recreation of the preseason enjoying with two level guards,” mentioned Fernandez. “So that you guys will see that, for certain.
“It’s one thing that it provides us a unique look proper now, enjoying with measurement, however not a real massive and a number of playmaking and capturing. So it’s going to be enjoyable. It’s going to very enjoyable to present it a glance.”
It’s one thing neither Jacque Vaughn nor Kevin Ollie obtained to take a look at final season. Schroder had hoped to play alongside Simmons after arriving from Toronto, however the latter’s accidents scuppered that plan.
Even in camp, they performed collectively on the primary day however had been largely saved aside on separate groups — till Saturday.
“After I first obtained right here, I performed with Ben the primary scrimmage,” Schroder mentioned. “After that, we didn’t do it an excessive amount of. We competed each follow in opposition to one another, and that was nice simply to push ourselves and attempt to get as many wins as attainable. However coach determined that we’re going to start out collectively, and we’re going to make the perfect out of it.”
The duo logged simply 16 minutes collectively over three video games final season, ending a minus-4. They’d hoped to return again from the All-Star break higher in sync, however Simmons wanted season-ending again surgical procedure.
Over the past two years, the Nets had performed at a 35-win tempo with out Simmons and a 45-win tempo with him. Lastly wholesome, the Nets are relying on the pair’s potential to push in transition.
“A variety of pace. He’s [fast],” Schroder mentioned when requested what a two-point guard tandem with Simmons can appear to be. “I imply, he wasn’t wholesome the final couple of years, however when he’s wholesome, we all know what he can do. He’s an All-Star-type participant, so he’s going to push the ball. [He’s] unselfish.
“On the defensive finish, he’s enjoying with grit. And that’s what we’d like right here. So, a number of pace. He can deliver it up, I’m going to the nook. If not, me and him in pick-and-roll, him setting the display or me setting the display. I feel we will do a number of issues. And at present we labored on it, and we attempt to maintain constructing ahead, going ahead, attempt to construct. Yeah, we’re going to maintain working.”
Fernandez didn’t say whether or not this pairing was a results of the Nets lacking our bodies, with Nic Claxton, Bojan Bogdanovic, Day’Ron Sharpe and Trendon Watford all out for the preseason opener.
However when requested about spacing with Simmons, he’s mentioned earlier than he needs to see how issues work and doesn’t must have all of the solutions already. These preseason video games ought to present him with a few of these solutions.
“It’s been good, man. They’re each so quick, each so electrical once they play. Each trying to discover guys operating the ground,” mentioned Jalen Wilson. “It’s good for me, as a result of I wish to run the ground, get to the nook, get open pictures. And I’ve obtained two guys pushing extra looking for us.”
To this point in camp, the Nets haven’t seen a lot of Schroder and Simmons collectively. That’ll change Tuesday.
“I haven’t seen it in motion but, so it’s laborious for me to say [how it’ll look],” admitted Noah Clowney. “However in having each of them, they’ll be capable of play off the ball and to be on it. It may be distinctive within the methods we will use that.”
