Ben Simmons Makes Interesting Giannis Antetokounmpo Comparison

The Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks should have some good battles this season

Joey Linn | Oct 14, 2022

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Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons has never been a threat from outside of the paint, and while that noise has surrounded his career from very early on, it's not something he worries about anymore. When asked recently about this, Simmons made reference to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in an interesting comparison.

Speaking with ESPN's Nick Friedell, Simmons said, "They're going to say that regardless. Even if I hit a shot, what are they going to say? 'I still can't.' F---, I can't make everybody happy, you know? ... That's like saying can Giannis [Antetokounmpo] shoot? Can he?"

When reminded that Giannis has improved his shot, Simmons said, "Yeah, better. But, what is it? Is it not taking as many shots as people want me to? Is it not hitting every shot? Fans are always going to say something. And it's probably something that they're like, 'Yo, I can get in his head by doing this because I know this has always been something that people have spoken about.'"

This is an interesting comparison from Simmons, because while Giannis still does not possess a consistent three-point shot, his mid-range game has become much more effective, and his willingness to shoot open threes is something Simmons has never displayed. By all metrics, the two cases are not at all similar.

That said, Simmons' main point seems to be that he can impact the game without shooting from deep, which is indeed true.

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Published Oct 14, 2022

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn32@sbcglobal.net Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis, insight, and reporting Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Receiving a media credential during the 2021-22 season, Joey has experience interviewing NBA players, and developing exclusive stories from these interviews. Having appeared on several different NBA podcasts over the last four seasons, Joey is now hosting his own podcast for The Sporting Tribune. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Now graduated, Joey is covering the NBA full-time across multiple platforms. Credentialed by the Clippers, Joey covers the team daily with articles, podcasts, and video breakdowns on YouTube. With four years of sports media experience, Joey provides expert insight and analysis for NBA fans across the league.

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