NEW YORK _ Ouch!
Ben Simmons had to know that he would be asked about Nets reserve forward Jared Dudley's calling him an "average" player in the half-court. That comment was all over the social media Wednesday.
But the response by the 76ers point guard before Thursday's shootaround at Basketball City could go viral.
"That's coming from Jared Dudley. Come on," the 22-year-old said dismissively when a reporter asked his thoughts.
Dudley, 33, has started in 285 of 847 regular-season games through 12 NBA seasons. The San Diego native averaged 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 20.7 minutes in 56 appearances this season.
Spending 12 seasons in the NBA is a major accomplishment, and Dudley is a key contributor for the Nets. However, he doesn't come close to matching Simmons' athleticism and upside.
The 2018 rookie of the year is one of the league's top young stars. Blessed with size and speed, opponents have to game-plan for him in transition.
However, teams sag off him in the half-court because of his reluctance to shoot the ball from the perimeter.
"I think Ben Simmons is a great player in transition. Once you slow him up in the half-court, I think he's average," Dudley said Wednesday. "He's a player that when he picks up speed he's a load, so you have to (send) guys with him. It's taking away his easy baskets."
Dudley did a solid job of defending Simmons in Game 1 on Saturday. The Australian finished with nine points on 4-for-9 shooting in the Sixers' 111-102 setback. However, he scored only two points in the 22 possessions in which Dudley guarded him.
Dudley missed Game 2 on Monday with a calf injury. Simmons responded with a triple-double of 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, making 8 of 12 shots, in the Sixers' 145-123 win. Dudley is listed as probable for Thursday night's Game 3 at the Barclays Center.
