Ben Simmons is finally giving the Nets exactly what they’ve been asking for

That was the aggressiveness Jordi Fernandez wanted. Ben Simmons had lacked that.

That the Nets needed for their offense to click and get closer to its potential, especially with leading scorer Cam Thomas out with a strained back.

After Simmons checked back into the game in the fourth quarter, he gained possession and converted a basket after Jalen Wilson had his shot blocked.

Then Shake Milton gave an alley-oop for Simmons on the Nets’ next sequence.

The four-point advantage these give the Nets was a temporary one — with their 116-115 NBA Cup win over the Hornets Tuesday at Barclays Center not decided until Brandon Miller’s last-second lift fell short.

But it topped Simmons’ 10-point, eight-rebound, five-assist night, with the five baskets marking his season high.

“He was big tonight,” Trendon Watford said.

Simmons entered the night averaging a career-high 5.3 points per game. game — well below his peak of 16.9 with the 76ers in 2018-19 — and had been relegated to the bench before Nic Claxton missed the last three games and Simmons started as a starter. -of-position center.

Fernandez was encouraged by the physicality Simmons displayed during a brief scrimmage between the teams in the third quarter.

After Simmons leveled Josh Green while faking a pass and setting a screen, Miller shoved Simmons, prompting a huddle of players to gather as coaches came by before the situation escalated.

Simmons and Miller both received technical fouls.

At that point, Simmons had already collected six of his points.

Then, with his baskets later in the half, he completed the type of play Fernandez has expected him to repeat over and over again.

That’s what the first-year head coach has come to expect from the polarizing star he inherited.

“I think Ben was a big part of this win,” Fernandez said, “and I really liked how he played, how engaged he was, his communication the whole time. It’s just great to watch him play like this.”

Fernandez said the Nets tried to foul three with 5 seconds left when the Hornets inbounded the ball, but he also trusted his players to make their own decision in the moment — and only foul if they felt comfortable.”

“At the end of the day, they have to own it,” Fernandez said. “They’re the ones making the plays. I’m not out there. Because a lot of times when you’re trying to foul, I’ve seen it so many times: You give an and-one and you miss a 3-point shot or you foul , before the ball comes in, because the guys are nervous. It’s like, ‘These are our rules. You only do it if you feel comfortable with the situation.’ “

Watford, in just his second game back from a hamstring injury that cost him the first 12 games of the season, finished with 10 points in 19 minutes. … The Nets hosted their first game in this year’s NBA Cup, and Fernandez said he’s a fan of the format and the new Barclays Center court. … Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain) and Ziaire Williams (right hip tightness) were available after being on the injury report. … Wilson made his first start of the season in place of Thomas.