Thunder release G Abrines, cite personal issue

Ben Simmons is at the tail-end of what many experts said would be an 18-month recovery from back surgery. Simmons is expected to be 100% by November. When he is, the Brooklyn Nets versatile player expects to be the team’s lead guard again. Simmons said he’s gotten assurances from Nets coach Jacque Vaughn that he’ll be running the offense again too.

“That’s what I know. As much as people would try to put me (at power forward). Everyone’s a GM in their head. I’m a point guard,” Simmons said. “So, I think with the team we have I think it’s constructed well for us to have a good run.

“Get ready for a great year. I think it’s going to be exciting. We’re going to have a lot of fun and get back to Brooklyn basketball.”

Simmons also knows he’s disappointed some people over the last few years. He’s not making any excuses though, as he owns it’s on him to win people over again.

“I’d say (the hardest part was) not be able to do your job to the fullest. I never have excuses, I never tried to say anything about different things going on. But I was dealing with an injury at the time, so I did what I could in the moment,” Simmons said. “And I owe it to everybody, the fans and everybody, to get back to where I need to be. That’s what I did this summer to get back.”