Before the 76ers blew out the Spurs, 134-99 on Sunday night in Philadelphia, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich gave his thoughts on 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons.
The three-time All-Star is having another stellar season. Simmons is averaging 16.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game and is one of the leading candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. However, as good as Simmons has played this season, he still does not take many shots from the perimeter. In four seasons, Simmons is only 4-31 from three-point range.
Can Simmons be an elite player without shooting jump shots? According to Popovich, he can.
“It would enhance his game, obviously, that can’t be argued with,” Popovich said. “But his skills and all of his physical skills, basketball skills, the way he understands the game, as unselfish as he is, he’s elite already. Who gives a damn if he can’t shoot?”
Without Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris had 23 points, and Seth Curry poured in 21 points, and of course, Simmons had another solid all-around game with 14 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. San Antonio(19-16) was outscored 46-21 in the third quarter and trailed by 33 points entering the fourth quarter. Philadelphia(27-12) led by as much as 42 points in the game.
San Antonio will quickly have to forget about this loss as they travel to Detroit to battle the Pistons on Monday night.
Watch as Popovich talks Simmons:
Leave a Reply