A Knicks analyst unloaded on Ben Simmons a pair days earlier than the interborough rivalry recreation, labeling the Nets’ level guard as “scared” when requested to determine the league’s most overrated participant.
“Most overrated participant is Ben Simmons. It’s not even shut,” Wally Szczerbiak stated Monday night time on MSG Community.” The man couldn’t even play within the playoffs two years in the past. Then he was scared to get on the courtroom all of final yr. The man is scared to shoot. He’s the primary decide within the NBA draft and you may’t even get him on the basketball ground.”
Simmons, 26, didn’t play all of final season whereas citing psychological well being struggles and a again damage. The three-time All-Star staggered his seven appearances this season round a “sore knee,” averaging simply 5.6 factors on 43% capturing earlier than Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Knicks.
Simmons had remained hesitant to shoot or assault the basket, typically turning away with the ball and trying to find a kick-out move. He solely tried seven pictures outdoors the paint earlier than Wednesday, lacking 5 of them. He was capturing 47% on free throws.
Szczerbiak, 45, a former All-Star and sixth total decide, indicated that Simmons is at the least partially accountable for the underwhelming workforce protection that left Steve Nash unemployed (with good pay).
“He’s speculated to be a very good defender. He was enjoying for the Brooklyn Nets they usually had been giving up 125 factors per recreation they usually received their coach (Steve Nash) fired as a result of they couldn’t cease anyone,” Szczerbiak stated. “Ben Simmons is so overrated you may’t even put him within the recreation anymore. It’s a little bit little bit of a disgrace.”
Simmons, who is predicted to play in opposition to the Knicks, was torched Monday night time by Luka Doncic and acknowledged, “I believe I did horrible.”
Simmons added, “I’m my very own harshest critic,” which rings hole to anyone who listened to Sixers followers or Szczerbiak on MSG Community.
“When you've got again surgical procedure, and you then’re coping with your knee, it’s powerful,” Simmons stated. “But it surely’s the playing cards I used to be dealt, so I’ve gotta push via it.”
Simmons’ regression from a two-way All-Star to his present standing would sit atop the frustration listing for every other NBA franchise. However the Nets are lined with points and suspended their level guard, Kyrie Irving, for his unapologetic response to endorsing an anti-Semitic movie.
The Knicks, in the meantime, have been much less dysfunctional and dramatic these days however wanted a win in opposition to the Nets to keep away from a dropping report.
“That’s their downside,” Julius Randle informed reporters when requested concerning the Nets drama. “All good over right here in Knicksland.”
GRIMES UPDATE
Right here’s the most recent with the on-again, off-again standing of Quentin Grimes’ sore foot: He was accessible to play Wednesday night time however labeled “situational” by coach Tom Thibodeau, which often means sparse enjoying time.
Grimes missed eight of the season’s opening 10 video games due to the foot damage, together with two straight heading into Wednesday at Brooklyn. Thibodeau envisioned Grimes as a possible beginning capturing guard however the foot has been his greatest hurdle.
“Observe the trainers’ plans. If he doesn’t have soreness, he goes,” Thibodeau stated. “You belief the medical doctors, you belief your trainers, you belief Quentin.
“Simply let him work his manner via it. Clearly, he’s been out for some time now, so the conditioning piece of it is necessary additionally.”
For the primary time since Nov. 4, the Knicks used the identical beginning lineup in consecutive video games with Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, Randle and Jericho Sims.
Evan Fournier stays out of the lineup regardless of Grimes’ damage. The Frenchman has been skilled concerning the demotion.
“He’s dealt with the whole lot such as you would count on. He’s a professional’s professional,” Thibodeau stated. “He stays prepared. No matter he can do to assist the workforce that’s what he’ll do.”
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