Ben Simmons | Post-Game Press Conference | Utah Jazz | 1.29.2024

Ben Simmons | Post-Game Press Conference | Utah Jazz | 1.29.2024

First off Ben just how are you feeling after that just kind of when did you feel like you were back in business when did I feel like I was back in business when they let me play when I was when I was clear to play um n but just just

Stepping on the floor just trying to play my game you know fill it out see where you know guys were going to be um just get a little bit of uh Rhythm back so uh you I think it was a good first game was that first passor Royce kind of

When you felt like okay we can get this going or was there another moment where you just kind of felt like I told them as soon as we checked in like they they they know what time it is um I think you know certain guys know

What it’s like to play with me um and where their shots going to come from so for us it’s easy um it’s just about sharing the ball and uh playing the right way some guys when they come back from a long layoff they talk about oh well you

Know I’ll feel more comfortable when I when I whatever it is when I get a hit or when I feel some contact how are you able to be so comfortable so quickly and I know you’re going to say hard work but how we I wasn’t going to say that so I’m

Going to cut that how how are you able to be so comfortable so quickly um I just know the game I think just let the game come to me I try not to force it too much um and just just read it I think a lot of things for me I let

Things develop you know throughout the course of the game um one thing I learned is just patience you know things develop you know over time when you bring the ball down and you can see everything and I think I just read the game a certain way he you mentioned just when you

Checked in like you had a fast break like 4 seconds after you got in the game it’s always a fast break when out the ball yeah I mean does it have did I answer your question yeah better than I was going to ask but yeah just push pushing

The pace I don’t think not many teams are ready for a team that’s pushing the ball every every single time down the floor you know so um it it it gets guys crossmatched um and different matchups that you want um for us offensively um and then just reading the defense and

Seeing what they’re going to give us when you haven’t played in that long getting to do something maybe that you do best right on the first play does that help you sort of 100% % yeah yeah I think it’s just adds to the confidence you know when you do good things in the

Court just keeps keeps adding you guys start hitting shots and it’s just a confidence boost were you doing anything I saw you going to stand over in the the tunnel when you were out of the game were you getting any work done or anything or on the bike no I was just I

Just didn’t want to sit down um I was ready to go so I’m not I’m not used to coming off the bench like that so for me I’m you know a little ansy I want to get in the game and obviously seems like you came out of this feeling really good do

You think the anticipations to stay in this range for a little while or do you think it can move up quick that’s going to be up to them um yeah that’ll be up to the the medical staff safe to say this is a successful return note for you

Like we got the win so yes that’s that’s the uh main objective for me and that’s really all I care about so not only do the Nets end up making uh that many threes but you end up scoring 60 points in the paint and end up winning that battle too did you

Feel the interior kind of opening up as your first few assists started to to be you know spread around the perimeter yeah I think it’s tough you know when guys are I’m creating shots for guys on on the perimeter um you kind of got to

Pick one um and they kind of got mixed between protecting the rim and and you know letting us shoot threes so um but we had a good balance Ben like you said you’re you’re not used to coming off the bench you didn’t want to sit down but

When you first checked into the game in that first quarter can you kind of take us through your emotions as you’re leaving the tunnels you know slowly walking up to the scores table walking onto the for what was that moment like for you um you know people don’t see the

Work you know that goes in behind the scenes right so it took a a lot of effort and patience and and time to get back to where I’m at now you know every every single day every morning every day um I’m working uh to get back on the

Floor and that’s you know it’s not online you don’t see that so for me and everyone that has seen that and and seen my discipline over the last two months um it’s great to see a payoff Ben big picture you know when you first were playing earlier in the year

You know cam Johnson was working his way back you’re working your way back now as this team is getting healthier you know knock on wood what do you believe the team could be if you guys are healthy and you’re playing at this type of level just looking ahead big

Picture um I think we could be really good if we do everything we need to do um but that takes time and and focus and dedication from you know front office to the last guy on the bench to the training staff to coaches you know so um

It’s it’s a team effort and I think we can get there if everyone Buys in Ben right before you checked out you took just like a little awkward fall on the leg how’s you kind of grabbed your knee how how are you feeling and I know you said that you were confident ready

To get that live action but how was that how are you no I feel good um just another hit you know so a little awkward fall but I feel good and jock mentioned that the guy’s rallied around you and he just loves seeing that and it’s not just

Been here to but just over the last couple weeks how have your teammates just given you that support and just how much fun was it to kind of just see it play out it’s amazing cuz I like this is probably one of the best teams in terms

Of just friendships um I’ve been a part of you know everyone gets along we don’t have any egos or anything like on the team um and guys want to win and compete so for me to be able to be in an environment like this is amazing you

Know I get to come to work with you know a bunch of friends that you know want to get better and compete so I’m happy

Ben Simmons spoke to the media following the Nets vs.Jazz on January 29, 2024