The Ben Simmons period is again in Brooklyn, however one NBA legend isn’t proud of him.
Simmons and his Nets teammates took to the ground in opposition to division rival and league leaders, the Boston Celtics.
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Having received 14 of their previous 15 video games, the Nets went into the competition with a full head of steam in a battle of the 2 prime groups within the Japanese Convention.
The Nets nevertheless had been with out celebrity ahead Kevin Durant who sustained a knee damage of their final contest in opposition to the Miami Warmth, an damage which is predicted to sideline him for a month.
Simmons turned it on in opposition to the Celtics, however couldn’t rally his group previous the highly effective Celtics outfit because the league-leaders claimed the 109-98 victory.
The 26-year-old’s show on Friday noticed him as soon as once more be a part of the file books, equalling a really weird file.
Having completed with 13 assists and 9 rebounds, Simmons completed the competition with zero factors after going 0-3 capturing.
It’s only the 18th time in NBA historical past {that a} participant has recorded 13 assists whereas registering no factors.
Simmons entered the halftime break with 10 assists to his identify as he picked aside the Celtics defence, but it surely was his 0-1 capturing that had former gamers questioning his influence.
Richard Jefferson was fast to reward the Aussie’s show, however needed to see him go on the rim extra usually.
“The tempo has been picked up permitting Ben Simmons to play in transition. I’d say half his assists have come on the break,” he stated.
“However he wants to take a look at the rim extra. He can’t simply depend on Kyrie, Seth Curry and Joe Harris.”
Kenny Smith on the NBA TNT halftime present stated he didn’t care if Simmons ended video games with no factors, his influence was in different areas of video games.
“I feel there’s such a false impression at instances about scoring,” he stated.
“Sure he may rating extra however his largest worth is that he can defend, rebound and move the ball at tempo like nobody else can do.
“Sure he can rating extra, that may be nice. However give me 20 assists and 10 rebounds, I don’t care what number of baskets you rating.
Fellow panellist and NBA legend Charles Barkley wasn’t having it and obtained caught into Simmons’ output.
“100 per cent I disagree with Kenny.
“You may’t go an entire half with out scoring.
“It’s virtually inconceivable for a man that gifted to go an entire half with out scoring. He ain’t even trying on the basket.”
Regardless of indirectly impacting the scoreboard, the Nets outscored the Celtics by 10 factors throughout Simmons 26 minutes of taking part in time.
He additionally utilised his largest weapon, his defensive capability, as he helped quell the influence of Celtics celebrity Jayson Tatum.
Tatum has been among the many MVP dialog all season lengthy, however with Simmons intently defending he was held to twenty factors.
Simmons addressed his lack of offensive output post-game and stated he wants to stay aggressive for the group.
“Being assertive, being aggressive and realizing my group wants that,” he stated.
“I feel I’ve given the ball away too many instances. I do know I have to get to get buckets and that’s additionally going to assist my teammates and get them going.”
Regardless of the backlash to his scoring, Simmons’ wizardry with the ball in hand left these watching on in disbelief.
