Ben Simmons still appears to be shaking the rust off his jump shot.
In a viral video, the Nets guard can be seen air-balling a jumper during the team’s Practice in the Park on Sunday, which took place at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2.
The Nets’ sixth annual free event drew in a capacity crowd of roughly 8,000 fans, so it was only a matter of time before Simmons’ botched shot hit the internet.
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And of course, everyone made the same joke.
Simmons’ jump shot has been an ongoing headline since he last played an NBA game in June 2021, when the 76ers lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals to the Hawks.
Simmons shot 34.2 percent from the free-throw line in the 2021 NBA playoffs. In the seven-game series against Atlanta, the All-Star guard attempted just three shots in the fourth quarter — none of which occurred in the series’ final four games.
The Nets acquired Simmons in February from the Sixers in a blockbuster trade for James Harden. The deal came after the Australian player pushed for a trade out of Philadelphia, while citing mental health concerns and a back injury.
Simmons, who missed all of last season, underwent back surgery in May. He made his debut with the Nets last Monday in a pre-season game against the Sixers at Barclays Center, recording six points, five assists and four rebounds 19 minutes in the 127-108 loss.
The Nets open their regular season at home against the Pelicans.
