‘Zero competitive fire’: NBA great slams Simmons over play-off absence

Ben Simmons’ continued absence from the line-up of the Brooklyn Nets, who are on the brink of elimination in the NBA play-offs, has drawn the ire of some of the biggest names in basketball.

Simmons is yet to play for the Nets since joining them earlier in the year and will miss their do-or-die game four against division rivals Boston, leading Indiana Pacers icon Reggie Miller to blast Simmons for having “zero competitive fire”.

Ben Simmons’ on the Nets bench during game three of their play-off series against the Boston Celtics.Credit:AP

Former 76er Simmons, who was savaged by Philadelphia’s fan base for his performance in last year’s play-offs, sat out a chunk of the season in a stand-off with his former team. Since being traded, he has been rehabbing a persistent back injury. He hasn’t played an NBA game since June 20 last year.

Miller, known as one of the most fiercely competitive players in the NBA throughout the physical era of the ’90s and early 2000s, appeared to doubt the severity of the herniated disc that the 25-year-old required an epidural injection to help treat.

“Cmon MAN!!! Out for game four when it was rumoured you were going to make your debut,” Miller said on Twitter. “This dude has ZERO competitive [fire] … As small a chance as the Nets have to come back in this series, you still have KD [Kevin Durant] and Kyrie [Irving], all you need is to win ONE game and take it from there … #ManUp”

High-profile NBA media personality Stephen A. Smith, never one to shy away from making big statements about some of the biggest names in the sport, went even further.

Speaking on ESPN after Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Nets ruled out Simmons for game four on Tuesday (AEST), Smith said: “I feel bad for anybody who was his teammate – he quit on LSU [Simmons’ college team], he quit on the Philadelphia 76ers, and now he ain’t showing up for the Brooklyn Nets … this is one of the most pathetic situations that I’ve ever seen in my life. He ain’t going to war, he ain’t going in the [UFC] octagon, he’s not going in a boxing ring – it’s pulling teeth to get this man to play basketball”.

Jalen Rose, who averaged over 14 points per game across a 13-year NBA career and now appears on ESPN, said the Nets should have got Harden, Durant, and Irving together to work out their differences rather than trading for Simmons in the first place. He added he felt bad for Simmons.

“Not playing in Philly, and not being able to play at all with the Nets [so far] – there are some real issues happening there,” he said.

Wojnarowski reported that Simmons was still experiencing persistent pain in his back.

The star-studded Nets, for which Australian Boomers star and fierce Simmons supporter Patty Mills is also a key piece, face being swept 4-0 in the best-of-seven series if they can’t find a way past the Celtics on Tuesday.

Boston have loaded up their defence on Durant and former Celtic Irving, drying up the Nets’ two best scoring options. The former US Olympic teammates have scarcely played together for the Nets since so far, due to Irving’s vaccination status and Durant’s recent injuries.

Celtics guard Marcus Smart was recently announced as the NBA’s defensive player of the year – the first point guard to claim the award since one of Miller’s old sparring partners, Seattle Supersonics legend Gary “The Glove” Payton.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.

Most Viewed in Sport

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article