Three-time All Star, Aussie Ben Simmons continues to struggle on-court as Brooklyn Nets hunt new coach - which will be Simmons' fourth head coach.
Having only just returned to the court, there was hope that this season might see Nets coach, and former MVP Steve Nash help Simmons return to the form that saw him make 3 All Star teams. But alas, it looks like Simmons will now be looking to former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka for guidance.
As reported by ESPN, Udoka, currently suspended by the Celtics for a personal matter (relationship with female staffer) is the front runner as far as GM Sean Marks and Nets owner Joe Tsai are concerned to take over from Nash.
With a poor 2-6 start to the season following their latest defeat, this time at the hands of the LaVine led Chicago Bulls, the Nets are mired in off season controversy, the latest being Kyrie Irving tweeting a link to an antisemitic film. Irving's tweet prompted a number of Nets fans to sit courtside wearing t-shirts with the slogan "Fight antisemitism" on the front.
Prior to that, there was super star player Kevin Durant demanding that is was "him or Nash & Marks - either sack them or trade me" in the off season, a position he later reversed. Durant even expressed surprise when appearing in the post Bulls loss press conference, yeah...sure thing Kev.
The Nets, who many sportsbooks still have as 5th favourites to win the Championship at odds of 10.00 or thereabouts, need a big turnaround, and many fans will be hoping that their poor start to the season was down to player power and KD's desire to get Nash out.
Back to Simmons, and the hope that the the former Sixers player will be able to recreate some of the on court magic that saw him crowned Rookie of the Year in 2018, and make it to 3 consecutive All Star teams (2019-21) with the help of the 4th coach of his relatively short NBA Career. Having has two coaches in Philly, Nash and seemingly soon Udoka, coupled with Durant, Irving, Harris and co getting focused on their game again perhaps the 2022-23 season can turn out to be a good one for Ben Simmons.
Aussie NBA fans will certainly be hoping.
