Aussie basketball phenom Ben Simmons has just played one of the best individual games you’ll ever see in college basketball. His team also still lost.
LSU went down to Marquette 81-80 in a nail-biter at Barclays Centre, the home of the Brooklyn Nets, but all the talk after the game was about one player only.
The 19-year-old was utterly dominant on both ends of the floor, putting up 21 points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists – the first time a major conference player posted those numbers since Blake Griffin played for Oklahoma way back in the 2008-09 season.
His elite passing ability, court vision and raw athleticism were all on show in New York as he stood head-and-shoulders above all other players on the court.
One particular highlight included a stunning piece of individual brilliance – going coast-to-coast, the 6″9′ giant effortlessly weaved his way through the defenders before finishing with a one-handed dunk from his non-preferred hand.
Finally, when he took it to the hole with 20 seconds to go, it appeared the boy from Melbourne might have scored the game-winner, but a pair of free throws to Marquette meant LSU had to score with 10 seconds remaining.
Instead of taking the final shot, Simmons drove and kicked it out to Brandon Sampson before getting it back and passing it to Jalyn Patterson, who missed a deep three.
Simmons has been, probably rightly, criticised by some for not taking the clutch shot. The first pass to Sampson was the right option but when he got it back, the onus was on him as the best player on the court to finish the job.
His unselfishness is a trademark of Simmons’ play, but he’ll need to develop a stronger ‘killer instinct’ if he’s to become truly great. He’s still young though, and this will be an important learning moment for him. The same criticism has been levelled at LeBron James throughout his career – so he’s in good company.
Despite this, Simmons’ exceptional game reinforced his position as the presumptive number one draft pick for 2016. Make no mistake, he is the real deal.
As one ESPN commentator said today, “Some people call it hype but [with Simmons] it’s just the truth”.
pete bloor
Guest
Though he was the shot before which I do have less of an issue with people saying pass it up, but then his team mate was in a better positions o then it becomes a does he thinks his so much better than his team mate... I think he made the right decision for his team and the wrong decision to placate basketball scouts on that paly but it is more debatable.
pete bloor
Guest
Really "the time came to step up" so the previous go ahead shot wasn't a time to step up? fair enough. Again look at the tape as he's about to catch it the entire other team is either in the paint or within a foot of it. The only two players not inside are him and the wide open guard So you still think the percentage play is to try, without time to set up a single defender by the way, and drive into the paint against the entire opposition team? I'll give the real time call a break as yes its harder to make that call at speed but if you honestly think after watching the tape that the percentage play is take the drive against the entire opposition team you are basically saying that LSU should just have him drive into the defense come hell or high water every single play. There isn't even any point to drawing up plays, if his drive versus the entire opposition is more reliable than an open shot just give him the ball and point tot eh right end and you win the game right?
pete bloor
Guest
Look at the tape - he wasn't open.
pete bloor
Guest
There no way he's getting to the hoop there. He even said in the post game that was his first though and he saw everything was cut off and so passed to the open man
Nate
Guest
Agreed on one thing Astro, another pretty poor performance from LSU today. Doubt they figured they would have 2 losses on their resume already.
astro
Guest
Taking it strong to the hoop isn't easy with 2 seconds on the shot clock. I really think criticising Simmons in a game where he was unbelievably good, and the only reason LSU was even close to winning, is absurd. The over-emphasis on the "last shot" is idiotic. If it was so important Robert Horry would be the GOAT. What should instead be being discussed is the poor coaching from LSU. Why was Simmons even in that positions with 2secs left? Why not design the play for him? We've seen the same thing in today's game...Simmons is the best player on the court, yet took 6 shots! 6! Two of his teammates combined for 37 shots, and Simmons gets 6...maddening.
Nate
Guest
Pete Bloor - I can't reply directly for some reason but oh well. It is my own opinion, I was watching the game and could not believe the way it ended. LSU had come roaring back and Simmons had been a huge part of that, but when the time came to step up he didn't do it. That my own opinion from watching it live has been backed up many times by pundits only helps to reinforce what I saw with my own eyes. Simmons had been dominating when taking it to the rim, hence the reason I believe that was the best option.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It's a meaningless game (all CBB games are meaningless before conference schedule begins), so he should using these games to improve himself. And by putting himself in the situation to win the game and learn from it would have been the the way to improve out of this game. When the SEC schedule starts there will be no excuses for not taking the responsibility
pete bloor
Guest
Again Nate tell me what makes you think that if he couldn't get the pass on target he would have nailed the more difficult shot? Freeze the replay at the point Simmon's makes the decision to pass, shoot or drive and put yourself in the mindset of a coach. The three options are drive into heavy traffic, take the contested 18 footer or pass to a guard open on the three point line. Just saying "well commentators agree with me" without spelling out why you have formed that view a tacit admission that you don't actually have any thoughts on the matter you've just regurgitated someone else's view point and passed it off as your own. And are these the same "commentators" that pasted LeBron for the same type of thing, or that previously pasted Jordan for not making those passes, that said you can't win in the NBA relying on three point shooting, that you can't play small for long periods, that valued a players listed height over their reach, that analytics was a fad, that you can't win with a score first point guard, that you can't win without a low post scorer, that hammered Dirk as soft until he won a title and then suddenly rewrote their view of his first 1,000 games, that gave Carmelo a first place MVP vote, that gave Rose the MVP because his second unit could play defense, that said Turner would be the best player in his draft class etc? Commentators aren’t infallible.
Nate
Guest
From Jonatham Givony from DraftExpress who was in attendance along with several NBA scouts - “At the end of the game, when you’re open, you have to take that shot. A lot of NBA guys were disappointed that he passed that up. They thought that he didn’t even think about shooting, and didn’t want anything to do with that last shot.”
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
What's with the attitude, champ? Just because someone doesn't agree with your opinion, you need to throw your toys out of the cot?
Nate
Guest
Yeah Sam Bowie was no bust, just a guy whose body could not stay healthy. BIG difference.
Nate
Guest
Also, I never said he should have taken a 16 ft marked jumpshot, but he had already shown his ability to get to the rim in traffic in this game and taking it strong to the hoop would have been the better option.
Nate
Guest
ok, so all commentators I have heard discussing this, both live and after the game have all stated pretty much the same thing I have. If Ben Simmons is to be the guy, don't make that last pass. Thankfully though we have two experts posting in the comments section that know more about basketball than ex-professional players and the basketball media in the US. Don't know what we would do without all these expert opinions.....
Machooka
Roar Guru
Righto Johnno... as I said I tend to agree with you! Hey, I haven't said young Ben is like a young King James... no it's others, who are much more creditable than me, maybe even you, that have stated that. And they are not saying he's the heir apparent to the King, rather they are saying they are reminded of a young James when presently watching Ben. It's a big difference. Maybe all those NBA scouts that were at this game, in Brooklyn, can figure that one out eh? All I was saying was the mail on this guy had arrived some time ago... and not just after one College game.
pete bloor
Guest
The pass was poorly executed rather than a poor option. So if he couldn't execute the skill of getting the pass within two feet of where he needed to get it whilst being under pressure why on earth do we think he would have tickled the twine with more difficult jumper under more direct pressure? Judging a decision on the known outcome of only one of the options, and ignoring the likely outcome of the other, is a failure in logic.
pete bloor
Guest
Actually Jordan was more highly regarded than Bowie and won just about every college award, but Portland stuck by the old school rule of always pick big. But hey Facts < Story
Nate
Guest
You think that a cross court pass that went behind the player and put him out of his rhythm for a 3 pointer from a mile deep was the better option than just taking it on himself? Yeah I don't think so.
Astro
Guest
Simmons isn't a great shooter yet, so taking a 16footer with a defender right in front of him would have been a poor shot...his pass for the open 3 was the right call...his team mate just missed.
Nate
Guest
Ryan, again I don't think anyone would criticise him for that first pass, but the second one was the wrong option when he should have just taken it on himself. He will learn when to show that though.