'I'm grateful just to be able to step on that floor'

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Ben Simmons made his Nets debut after almost a year and a half away from the game.

In Monday's 127-108 preseason loss to the 76ers, Simmons played 19 minutes and scored six points, made five assists and grabbed four rebound.

Simmons was able to step on the floor. It's time to step onto an NBA floor again. I had a good time.

Simmons showed some rust at times, but he was moving well after a long break. Simmons last played in an NBA game in June of 2021.

Simmons thought he would be nervous. I wasn't worried. I was looking forward to it.

There are a lot of issues the Nets need to shore up. The players and coaches were excited by what they saw from Simmons on the offensive end.

I told him at halftime that we were going to make the game easy for him. He is going to like playing with us. Getting up and down the floor with us is going to be fun for him. For him to be out there for his first day and for us to experience it with him is something that we can remember for the rest of the season. The first day is highly anticipated. I was happy it went his way.

Simmons said playing against his former teammates felt normal. James Harden and P.J. Tucker didn't play in the game.

Nets coach Steve Nash knows how important the preseason experience is for the three players.

Nash said he was happy. It's all new to me. This is something we have to go through. Guys don't have enough time together. Ben is playing with a completely different unit than he has before. As the half wore on, you definitely started to see some of the potential. The movement of the ball. They were harassing the basketball. Ben grew into the game in the first half.

The same sentiment was echoed by the player. He knows that it takes time for great players to learn each other's games, but he is confident that Simmons will find his rhythm with the Nets fairly quickly. Simmons was back on the floor on Monday, and like many within the Nets organization, he was just happy to be back.

You get a lot of anxiety when you're not playing. I am aware that I did. I'm anxious to see how I'm playing and what my role is on the team. Being able to see all the guys that have been out injured and being able to play again is great for the game.

After the game, Simmons seemed happy that he was finally able to play with his teammates. Better days are in store for him and his team.

Simmons knows how good he can be. There are different opportunities there with Kevin and Ky. Knowing where the ball is and how things will work. The only way to learn is to make mistakes and then watch film to see what I did wrong. It's all a learning experience for me.