Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

All eyes have been on Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason.

It has been a long time since fans have seen Simmons play professional basketball, as he sat out half a season with the Philadelphia 76ers last year and then didn’t play a single game with the Nets after being traded due to a lower back injury.

It’s been so long that some people have wondered if Simmons would be rusty and clunky on the court.

He actually did quite well during most of the preseason, seemingly in rhythm with the rest of his squad and playing some smart and aggressive ball.

Perhaps he was too aggressive the other night.

Simmons fouled out of the last preseason game for Brooklyn in just 13 minutes and scored only 2 points during that time.

Those are disappointing numbers to be sure but Simmons did rack up 6 assists too so it wasn’t all bad.

Yes, it’s just a preseason game but Simmons needs to make sure he doesn’t foul out of many regular games because the team really needs him.

So Long, Simmons

Simmons and the rest of his team were chuckling about him fouling out but they won’t be laughing if this happens again.

Say what you want about Simmons but he could be a key piece for the Nets.

He’s a big guy but he’s best known for his guard abilities and will be called upon to run the ball and make numerous assists during each game.

This will allow both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to feel less pressure, space the floor, and play even better.

But if Simmons continues to acquire a bunch of fouls then he won’t be doing anything but sitting on the bench.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Connor McDavid leads Oilers to Stanley Cup Final in Game 6 win over Stars
Watch: Robert MacIntyre claims emotional first PGA Tour win with dad as caddy
Watch: Shuttered college's baseball team's magical run ends on walk-off HR
Commanders release kicker Brandon McManus following his lawsuit
Giants ace Blake Snell's season just went from bad to worse on Sunday
Yuka Saso rallies to win her second U.S. Women's Open
Ryan Blaney's misfortune is Austin Cindric's gain after wild final lap at Gateway
Tigers to promote outfielder with stellar batting eye
Watch: Austin Cindric wins at Gateway after Ryan Blaney runs out of fuel on final lap
Report: NFL expected to reach resolution on Eagles', Falcons' tampering cases this week
White Sox's Tommy Pham voices frustrations in profane interview
Blue Jays GM has no interest in entertaining trade offers for star players
Yankees' Aaron Boone reveals rehab assignment date for ace pitcher
Dustin Poirier teases retirement following his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302
Watch: Orioles slugger Gunnar Henderson clobbers 19th homer vs. Rays
11 NFL teams gain cap space from post-June 1 cuts
WNBA upgrades hard foul on Caitlin Clark to a Flagrant 1
Three takeaways as Panthers eliminate Rangers, advance to Stanley Cup Final
Corey Heim dominates at Gateway for fourth Truck Series win of 2024 season
Mets honor Darryl Strawberry in fitting fashion during number retirement ceremony

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.