Will D’Angelo Russell challenge Ben Simmons for the Nets’ starting point guard role?

Russell posted 22 points and eight assists on 9-of-13 shooting and finished a plus-3. He was comfortable probing or pulling up in the pick-and-roll and creating for his teammates in the halfcourt and transition.

“I think he was outstanding. His engagement, communication, attention [to detail], everything. His court vision, ability to play pick-and-roll, it’s pretty special,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, Simmons struggled, posting two points and six assists on 1-of-6 shooting while finishing a minus-18. Following an encouraging three-game stretch upon his return to Brooklyn’s starting unit, the three-time All-Star’s play has regressed. He’s averaged 5.8 points and 7.8 assists while attempting 5.8 field goals and 0.5 free throws per game over his last four appearances.

The Nets’ offense ranks 28th since the Aussie replaced Schroder in the starting lineup.

Simmons’ poor fit as a non-shooting point guard alongside Nic Claxton has been well-documented throughout his Nets tenure. In 100 minutes last season, the pairing posted a 99.04 offensive rating and a -22.76 net rating. They’ve posted a -12.20 net rating in 180 minutes together this season.

Simmons’ inability to run the pick-and-roll due to his shooting limitations has contributed to those struggles. The third-year Net is averaging 1.07 possessions per game as a pick-and-roll ball-handler this season. He’s averaging 0.61 points per possession on those plays, ranking 141st among 146 players to run the play at least 28 times.

With Simmons playing a featured role as a lead ball-handler, Claxton’s pick-and-roll impact has regressed. The sixth-year center is averaging 1.9 pick-and-roll possessions per game as a roll-man. He’s scoring 1.10 points per possession on those plays, ranking 26th among 41 big men to run at least 40 pick-and-rolls this season.

Claxton averaged 2.3 possessions per game while scoring 1.17 points per possession last season, with Spencer Dinwiddie and later Schroder serving as lead ball-handlers. He averaged 2.2 possessions per game while scoring 1.36 points per possession in 2022-23, with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant leading Brooklyn’s offense for most of the year.

Russell’s pick-and-roll capabilities present a cleaner fit that should boost Claxton’s production. Despite Simmons’ offensive limitations, his fastbreak orchestration adds a necessary dimension to Brooklyn’s offense, given the team’s lack of depth at point guard.

Simmons and Russell should both enjoy prominent roles as the season progresses. However, fans should monitor which Fernandez leans towards as the team’s lead guard and how that decision impacts the supporting cast.

“I think it’s a good problem to have as a coach,” Russell said of his and Simmons’ contrasting styles. “He dominates the ball as a playmaking guard as well, forward, whatever you wanna say. So to be able to get out there and meet in the middle and help his game and find ways he can help mine and also help the team and make coach’s job easy as well is something that you don’t get that opportunity as often as you would assume so. For me to have that opportunity now, somewhere that I’m familiar with, once again, I’m just blessed to be here.”