The Nets hoped Ben Simmons would push the offense, but he didn’t

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Early in the season, Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said he hoped Ben Simmons would be aggressive and make double-digit shots every night.

So far, Simmons hasn’t hit the target once.

With Simmons now removed from his second back surgery and proclaiming himself healthy for the first time in years, one might wonder why not?

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez wants Ben Simmons to play more aggressively. NBAE via Getty Images

“I think the role I’m in now is a little different and I’m trying to adapt,” Simmons said. “And then obviously, when (Nic) Claxton comes back, that’s going to change again. I feel like I have a good rhythm in this second group. And then, obviously, Clax came out and then came back into this lineup. I just have to find my spots and do a better job of doing it for the team.

Do a much better job of it.

Simmons will enter Sunday’s game in Sacramento averaging 5.4 points, 6.6 assists and 5.9 rebounds.

His 4.8 attempts are on pace to reach a career low, even lower than his 4.9 last season under Jacque Vaughn and Kevin Ollie and last among 200 players in the league averaging over 22, 5 minutes.

In Friday’s loss at Philadelphia to start this four-game road trip, Simmons had just two points on 1-of-4 shooting and finished minus-20 in 26:13.

“These are the normal minutes he played. Again, we need him to rebound, we need him to pick up the pace and find his teammates. We need him to be aggressive,” Fernandez said. “Again, it probably wasn’t a great game from him and our team.”

Ben Simmons looks to make a move during the Nets’ loss to the 76ers. NBAE via Getty Images

Claxton’s injuries have played out with Simmons’ role from forward to backup point guard and now back to starting frontcourt.

Eye testing and advanced statistics indicate that he played better at his natural position as point guard, but struggled when asked to play as a forward.

After Cam Johnson scored 37 points Friday in Philadelphia, he’s averaging 31.0 points with .604/.594/1.000 shooting times over his last three.

He joins Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Vince Carter as the only Nets to average at least 30.0 points from a 50/50/100 split over a similar span.

Johnson heads to Sacramento with a career-high streak of 29 consecutive free throws.

Johnson (.423), Dorian Finney-Smith (.410) and Dennis Schroder (.408) are one of two trios in the NBA each attempting more than five 3s and shooting more than .400 – joining Boston’s Al Horford ( .477), Derrick White (.404) and Payton Pritchard (.421).

After drawing just nine charges last season – the worst number in 20 years – the Nets have already surpassed that number with 10, which is sixth most in the league.