@Override
  public void simpleUpdate(float tpf) {
    super.simpleUpdate(tpf);

    //  teaGeom.move(new Vector3f(0.001f, 0, 0));
    // pivot.rotate(0, 0.00001f, 0);
    //   rootNode.updateGeometricState();
  }
A 3rd-person chase camera orbits a target (teapot). 
Follow the teapot with WASD keys, rotate by dragging the mouse.
jme3-examples/src/main/java/jme3test/input/TestChaseCameraAppState.java