Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) walks onto the court during introductions of the annual Practice in the Park at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Ben Simmons is already shooting air-balls and the season hasn't started yet

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 10/11/22

Ben Simmons hasn't played in a real NBA game in almost a year and a half as he recovers from a back injury and a mental health struggle that has plagued him since before he was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets are hoping he'll return to form this season and be a big part of what should be a title-contending team featuring the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Unfortunately, if the clip floating around the internet of Simmons air-mailing an easy shot at an apparent photo shoot/public relations opportunity is any indication, the Nets are going to have to be extremely patient as Simmons regains his "basketball legs."

Doesn’t take long for Ben Simmons to get into regular season form @PatBevPod pic.twitter.com/mexHNGUZPg
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 11, 2022

To be fair to Simmons, who knows how many shots he's swished off-camera? For all we know, he could be draining them like Steph Curry when the photo ops aren't present.

It also sounds like the Nets are willing to give the three-time All-Star some runway to get back up to speed."We'll be patient with Ben because he is an incredibly talented and unique player, but he's not going to be at his best in the short term and he's just got to continue to slog through this period of returning to play and getting his confidence, timing and rhythm back," head coach Steve Nash said, via ESPN.

Simmons is certainly a talented and unique player, but can he get himself "right" on the court with so much pressure to win now in Brooklyn?

Only time will tell.

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