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 player is Ben Simmons. It’s not even close,” Wally Szczerbiak stated Monday evening on MSG Network.” The man couldn’t even play within the playoffs two years in the past. Then he was scared to get on the court docket all of final 12 months. The man is scared to shoot. He’s the primary decide within the NBA draft and you’ll’t even get him on the basketball flooring.”
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% taking pictures earlier than Wednesday’s recreation towards the Knicks.
Simmons had remained hesitant to shoot or assault the basket, usually turning away with the ball and trying to find a kick-out cross. He solely tried seven pictures outdoors the paint earlier than Wednesday, lacking 5 of them. He was taking pictures 47% on free throws.
Szczerbiak, 45, a former All-Star and sixth general decide, indicated that Simmons is not less than partially accountable for the underwhelming staff protection that left Steve Nash unemployed (with good pay).
“He’s supposed to be a good defender. He was playing for the Brooklyn Nets and they were giving up 125 points per game and they got their coach (Steve Nash) fired because they couldn’t stop anybody,” Szczerbiak stated. “Ben Simmons is so overrated you can’t even put him in the game anymore. It’s a little bit of a shame.”
Simmons, who is anticipated to play towards the Knicks, was torched Monday evening by Luka Doncic and acknowledged, “I think I did terrible.”
Simmons added, “I’m my own harshest critic,” which rings hole to anyone who listened to Sixers followers or Szczerbiak on MSG Network.
“When you have back surgery, and then you’re dealing with your knee, it’s tough,” Simmons stated. “But it’s the cards I was dealt, so I’ve gotta push through it.”
Simmons’ regression from a two-way All-Star to his present standing would sit atop the frustration checklist for another NBA franchise. But 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 currently however wanted a win towards the Nets to keep away from a dropping report.
“That’s their problem,” Julius Randle advised reporters when requested concerning the Nets drama. “All good over here in Knicksland.”
GRIMES UPDATE
Here’s the most recent with the on-again, off-again standing of Quentin Grimes’ sore foot: He was obtainable to play Wednesday evening however labeled “situational” by coach Tom Thibodeau, which often means sparse taking part in 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 taking pictures guard however the foot has been his largest hurdle.
“Follow 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.
“Just let him work his way through it. Obviously, he’s been out for a while now, so the conditioning piece of it is important also.”
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 handled everything like you would expect. He’s a pro’s pro,” Thibodeau stated. “He stays ready. Whatever he can do to help the team that’s what he’ll do.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com