In 5 games Simmons put up a line of 18.2ppg, 10.6rpg, 9apg, 2.4spg, .6bpg on 56%TS with a 2.5 A:TO. His BPM of 7.3 in the series would have ranked 5th in the NBA during the regular season and is currently 4th in the playoffs.
What makes things really impressive to me is how he got it done. The Heat should've been a nightmare for Simmons. Spo is one of the best coaches in the league when it comes to creating schemes to shut down specific players, and especially with Embiid missing the first two games of the series the Heat's already very good defense(7th in the NBA) was able to focus and game plan entirely for Simmons.
As a guy who relies on getting to the rim to score, a rim protector like Whiteside should be a bad match. For a rookie PG, guys willing to be as physical as Winslow and Johnson were should affect his poise and control. As pace slows in the playoffs, especially against a Heat team that was 27th in the league in pacing, a player who thrives in the open court and in transition like Simmons should struggle, right?
He instead put up better numbers all around the board than he did in the regular season. He controlled the games on both ends of the floor, he made everyone play to his tempo like a superstar does. He dominated and was the leader of the team for this series despite not even having NCAA tournament experience.
:ttpblessed:
Let's not forget Mitchell either. As the driving force behind the Jazz's offense and emotional leader he's putting up 27.5ppg, 8.5rpg, and 2.8apg so far. While he's still working on his efficiency and distributing skills, his ability to produce under such a heavy work load and once again against a defense focused in on him is nothing short of special.
Like Simmons, he's thriving in the moment. Mitchell is elevating for the playoffs and right in the faces of Westbrook and Paul George. He's hungry for the big shots, he wants to dominate the game, he's showing that killer instinct on top of a natural feel for getting buckets.
Tatum is struggling offensively against the Bucks, but still contributing defensively and doesn't look too shaken by the pressure in the games I've seen. Once again, he looks poised as always.
These kids are somethin else brehs
I don't remember the last time I've seen several rookies contributing and looking this good at this level like this.
What makes things really impressive to me is how he got it done. The Heat should've been a nightmare for Simmons. Spo is one of the best coaches in the league when it comes to creating schemes to shut down specific players, and especially with Embiid missing the first two games of the series the Heat's already very good defense(7th in the NBA) was able to focus and game plan entirely for Simmons.
As a guy who relies on getting to the rim to score, a rim protector like Whiteside should be a bad match. For a rookie PG, guys willing to be as physical as Winslow and Johnson were should affect his poise and control. As pace slows in the playoffs, especially against a Heat team that was 27th in the league in pacing, a player who thrives in the open court and in transition like Simmons should struggle, right?
He instead put up better numbers all around the board than he did in the regular season. He controlled the games on both ends of the floor, he made everyone play to his tempo like a superstar does. He dominated and was the leader of the team for this series despite not even having NCAA tournament experience.
:ttpblessed:
Let's not forget Mitchell either. As the driving force behind the Jazz's offense and emotional leader he's putting up 27.5ppg, 8.5rpg, and 2.8apg so far. While he's still working on his efficiency and distributing skills, his ability to produce under such a heavy work load and once again against a defense focused in on him is nothing short of special.
Like Simmons, he's thriving in the moment. Mitchell is elevating for the playoffs and right in the faces of Westbrook and Paul George. He's hungry for the big shots, he wants to dominate the game, he's showing that killer instinct on top of a natural feel for getting buckets.
Tatum is struggling offensively against the Bucks, but still contributing defensively and doesn't look too shaken by the pressure in the games I've seen. Once again, he looks poised as always.
These kids are somethin else brehs
I don't remember the last time I've seen several rookies contributing and looking this good at this level like this.
