Simmons eager to make Nets debut: They're a great fit for what I do

After missing the entirety of last season, Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons is excited to take the floor with his new team for the first time.

In particular, Simmons told "The Old Man and The Three" podcast that he believes the Nets and their star-studded roster - including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving - are perfectly suited for his style of play.

"I think the talent that we have and the type of players that we have, we're going to be able to run the floor easily. ... I think this team right now is just a great fit for what I do and what I bring to the game," Simmons said.

Simmons joined the Nets in a midseason trade last campaign. He hasn't played since the Philadelphia 76ers' playoff series loss to the Atlanta Hawks in 2021 due to a holdout, mental health concerns, and a back injury.

However, the 26-year-old acknowledged he needed to step away from the game largely to focus on his mental health.

"The first thing for me was really identifying (that) I gotta get right. ... Being able to do that, that was the start of getting to where I'm at now," Simmons said. "I'm in a great place. I feel comfortable talking about it now, but those were some dark days for me."

Simmons added that he didn't feel supported by his Sixers teammates, but he said all parties could've done a better job dealing with the entire situation.

"Obviously, I didn't handle things the right way, but the team didn't, either," he said.

With the situation in Philadelphia now behind him, Simmons is looking forward to a successful season with the Nets.

"I think we have a special team," Simmons said. "I think if we get it all together, we're going to be the champions."