Windhorst: Simmons eyeing a Game 4, 5, or 6 return

[Who]

So say Simmons is not a lockdown defender. Say he is just a good defender. Say Simmons is not a 15ppg threat but more of a 10ppg threat. Say Simmons is not a 7-8apg guy but more of a 5apg. In addition to his usual limitations of not being able to make a jump-shot or hit a FT.

How much difference does that Simmons make?

Enough to make them a favourite? Nah.
Enough to give them a puncher's chance? Maybe.

I don't know.

I really like Durant and Kyrie. They are a potent duo. I don't think they need that much around them to make them a threat. I do not believe they have that without Ben Simmons though. Even with a banged up Simmons - I don't know if that is enough to give them a chance or not. It might not be. But on the other hand I do not feel like BKN needs a massive contribution out of him to make them dangerous. Something lesser might be enough to make them scary in a 7 game series.

Of course that is assuming the series isn't already over by the time he returns. BKN would need to stay in it at 2-2, or 1-2 by the time Simmons returns otherwise it'll be too little too late regardless.

[celticsclay]

The question in my mind is still how much do they need from Ben Simmons to give them a chance in this series.

They are not going to get 100% Simmons (even if he does return). Do they need 100% Simmons to compete?

I don't think this Nets team has enough talent currently to beat Boston in a 7 game series. I just ... do not think it is possible for them to beat Boston. They don't have the horses.

So how much does Brooklyn need from Ben Simmons -- not even to outright win, but to make it a contest. To give them a chance. Because I believe they have no chance. Zero.

Right here, right now = zero chance.

Do they need a fully fit and performing Simmons to give them a shot? Maybe they do. Can a 70% Simmons give them enough help to give them a shot? I don't know. Would a 50% Simmons be enough? Doubtful but even that Simmons I view as an upgrade (I do like Simmons more than many others) over their current guys (who I do not rate).

All of the NBA analysts, including tons of former players, have talked about how it is impossible to go into a playoff game after not having played all season and having dealt with an injury that has stopped you from practicing and making you unable to run. By comparison, Leonard and Zion Williams are currently able to do more today then Ben Simmons can. It seems like he is kind of being built up to be a boogey man right now by some. I doubt he plays at all, but if he does I bet he is at 10%. That being said, I am worried about us without TimeLord and Durant could win a few games on his own (obviously as could Tatum).

[Vermont Green]

I am starting to be highly skeptical of all of this.  It was reported that he had an epidural on March 21.  Then the report was that he was able to start some anti gravity treadmill work outs.  But the speculation is about whether or not he will need surgery, not if he can start playing basketball.

To me, this is starting to feel like and attempt by BKN to distract the Celtics.  I see nothing in what is being reported that would indicate that he is even close physically to being ready to play NBA basketball, much less mentally ready.  I hope the Celtics are not going to fall into this.

Putting Simmons out there when he is not 100% physically, and likely to struggle, would be the worst possible thing they could do.  They could set him back mentally for who knows how long.  In the worst case scenario for them, this could ruin him forever.

On March 21, after Simmons received an epidural, Steve Nash dismissed any conversations about Simmons needing surgery for his herniated disc, stating, “not by me. I don’t think so.”

“It looks like he’s doing a little bit better,” the league source told The Post. “You know, it’s just a timing thing. The problem is the season is running out. But he’s doing [more]. He’s starting to do a little bit more movement, AlterG (an anti-gravity treadmill), stuff like that. So … we’ve got to be patient with it. I don’t think he’ll need a procedure, though. But you’ve just got to be patient with it.”

The AlterG essentially permits Simmons to begin running without placing too much pressure on his body...

While the Alter G device he has been using allows individuals to run at a lower percentage of their body weight and do rehab with less pain, the fact he can run at all bodes well for escaping the need for summer surgery.

“Yeah, the improvement is there,” the source told the Post. “And I think he’ll avoid having to do any type of procedure.”

[Surferdad]

The question in my mind is still how much do they need from Ben Simmons to give them a chance in this series.

They are not going to get 100% Simmons (even if he does return). Do they need 100% Simmons to compete?

I don't think this Nets team has enough talent currently to beat Boston in a 7 game series. I just ... do not think it is possible for them to beat Boston. They don't have the horses.

So how much does Brooklyn need from Ben Simmons -- not even to outright win, but to make it a contest. To give them a chance. Because I believe they have no chance. Zero.

Right here, right now = zero chance.

Do they need a fully fit and performing Simmons to give them a shot? Maybe they do. Can a 70% Simmons give them enough help to give them a shot? I don't know. Would a 50% Simmons be enough? Doubtful but even that Simmons I view as an upgrade (I do like Simmons more than many others) over their current guys (who I do not rate).

All of the NBA analysts, including tons of former players, have talked about how it is impossible to go into a playoff game after not having played all season and having dealt with an injury that has stopped you from practicing and making you unable to run. By comparison, Leonard and Zion Williams are currently able to do more today then Ben Simmons can. It seems like he is kind of being built up to be a boogey man right now by some. I doubt he plays at all, but if he does I bet he is at 10%. That being said, I am worried about us without TimeLord and Durant could win a few games on his own (obviously as could Tatum).

Yes that, plus he hasn't played one minute with his teammates or under this coaching staff. 

To me it boils down to this: Both Simmons and Timelord are projected to return late in this 1st round. Everyone knows what Timelord brings but nobody can predict what Simmons will bring, if anything.  Edge to the Celtics.

[Vermont Green]

The question in my mind is still how much do they need from Ben Simmons to give them a chance in this series.

They are not going to get 100% Simmons (even if he does return). Do they need 100% Simmons to compete?

I don't think this Nets team has enough talent currently to beat Boston in a 7 game series. I just ... do not think it is possible for them to beat Boston. They don't have the horses.

So how much does Brooklyn need from Ben Simmons -- not even to outright win, but to make it a contest. To give them a chance. Because I believe they have no chance. Zero.

Right here, right now = zero chance.

Do they need a fully fit and performing Simmons to give them a shot? Maybe they do. Can a 70% Simmons give them enough help to give them a shot? I don't know. Would a 50% Simmons be enough? Doubtful but even that Simmons I view as an upgrade (I do like Simmons more than many others) over their current guys (who I do not rate).

All of the NBA analysts, including tons of former players, have talked about how it is impossible to go into a playoff game after not having played all season and having dealt with an injury that has stopped you from practicing and making you unable to run. By comparison, Leonard and Zion Williams are currently able to do more today then Ben Simmons can. It seems like he is kind of being built up to be a boogey man right now by some. I doubt he plays at all, but if he does I bet he is at 10%. That being said, I am worried about us without TimeLord and Durant could win a few games on his own (obviously as could Tatum).

Yes that, plus he hasn't played one minute with his teammates or under this coaching staff. 

To me it boils down to this: Both Simmons and Timelord are projected to return late in this 1st round. Everyone knows what Timelord brings but nobody can predict what Simmons will bring, if anything.  Edge to the Celtics.

I will make a bold prediction.  RWill will absolutely be back on the court during the Nets series but won't have much impact, some maybe but not much.  This will allow him to be fully ready to go for the second round though where he does impact things like he did in the regular season.

Simmons won't even make it on to the court except maybe if there is garbage time.  I actually doubt that he even suits up.

So yes, advantage Celtics.

[Big333223]

For all of Simmons' defensive ability, I never felt like he made a big difference in '18 or in '20. Tatum and Brown have no fear of him. If he actually comes back in this series I have no doubt the game plan will be to take it at him every trip down the floor.

[Surferdad]

The question in my mind is still how much do they need from Ben Simmons to give them a chance in this series.

They are not going to get 100% Simmons (even if he does return). Do they need 100% Simmons to compete?

I don't think this Nets team has enough talent currently to beat Boston in a 7 game series. I just ... do not think it is possible for them to beat Boston. They don't have the horses.

So how much does Brooklyn need from Ben Simmons -- not even to outright win, but to make it a contest. To give them a chance. Because I believe they have no chance. Zero.

Right here, right now = zero chance.

Do they need a fully fit and performing Simmons to give them a shot? Maybe they do. Can a 70% Simmons give them enough help to give them a shot? I don't know. Would a 50% Simmons be enough? Doubtful but even that Simmons I view as an upgrade (I do like Simmons more than many others) over their current guys (who I do not rate).

All of the NBA analysts, including tons of former players, have talked about how it is impossible to go into a playoff game after not having played all season and having dealt with an injury that has stopped you from practicing and making you unable to run. By comparison, Leonard and Zion Williams are currently able to do more today then Ben Simmons can. It seems like he is kind of being built up to be a boogey man right now by some. I doubt he plays at all, but if he does I bet he is at 10%. That being said, I am worried about us without TimeLord and Durant could win a few games on his own (obviously as could Tatum).

Yes that, plus he hasn't played one minute with his teammates or under this coaching staff. 

To me it boils down to this: Both Simmons and Timelord are projected to return late in this 1st round. Everyone knows what Timelord brings but nobody can predict what Simmons will bring, if anything.  Edge to the Celtics.

I will make a bold prediction.  RWill will absolutely be back on the court during the Nets series but won't have much impact, some maybe but not much.  This will allow him to be fully ready to go for the second round though where he does impact things like he did in the regular season.

Simmons won't even make it on to the court except maybe if there is garbage time.  I actually doubt that he even suits up.

So yes, advantage Celtics.

I don't see that.  He will come back and make a HUGE difference against the Nets.  His return will make it a shorter series.

[gouki88]

The question in my mind is still how much do they need from Ben Simmons to give them a chance in this series.

They are not going to get 100% Simmons (even if he does return). Do they need 100% Simmons to compete?

I don't think this Nets team has enough talent currently to beat Boston in a 7 game series. I just ... do not think it is possible for them to beat Boston. They don't have the horses.

So how much does Brooklyn need from Ben Simmons -- not even to outright win, but to make it a contest. To give them a chance. Because I believe they have no chance. Zero.

Right here, right now = zero chance.

Do they need a fully fit and performing Simmons to give them a shot? Maybe they do. Can a 70% Simmons give them enough help to give them a shot? I don't know. Would a 50% Simmons be enough? Doubtful but even that Simmons I view as an upgrade (I do like Simmons more than many others) over their current guys (who I do not rate).

All of the NBA analysts, including tons of former players, have talked about how it is impossible to go into a playoff game after not having played all season and having dealt with an injury that has stopped you from practicing and making you unable to run. By comparison, Leonard and Zion Williams are currently able to do more today then Ben Simmons can. It seems like he is kind of being built up to be a boogey man right now by some. I doubt he plays at all, but if he does I bet he is at 10%. That being said, I am worried about us without TimeLord and Durant could win a few games on his own (obviously as could Tatum).

Yes that, plus he hasn't played one minute with his teammates or under this coaching staff. 

To me it boils down to this: Both Simmons and Timelord are projected to return late in this 1st round. Everyone knows what Timelord brings but nobody can predict what Simmons will bring, if anything.  Edge to the Celtics.

I will make a bold prediction.  RWill will absolutely be back on the court during the Nets series but won't have much impact, some maybe but not much.  This will allow him to be fully ready to go for the second round though where he does impact things like he did in the regular season.

Simmons won't even make it on to the court except maybe if there is garbage time.  I actually doubt that he even suits up.

So yes, advantage Celtics.

I don't see that.  He will come back and make a HUGE difference against the Nets.  His return will make it a shorter series.

Williams always makes a huge impact, no matter his minutes

[sgrogan]

If you think its Celts in 5 or 6, you probably don't have to worry about Simmons making enough of a difference.
If you think its a 7 game series, like me, bring it to the extreme.

Celts trail by 1 in game 7. 11 seconds left, C's have out of bounds at half court.
Do you as a C's fan wantSimmons on the court for BKN?