SportsPulse: Trysta Krick challenged Hall of Famer David Robinson to a game of Pop-A-Shot and the results were surprising. USA TODAY Sports
Shortly before Ben Simmons joined NBA royalty, becoming the second player in league history to record at least 1,200 points, 600 assists and 600 rebounds in his rookie season, he was receiving the highest of praises from one of the most talented players in pro hoops history.
Julius Erving, a Basketball Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest Philadelphia 76er ever, broke down the Rookie of the Year frontrunner's game Tuesday after the team unveiled a statue in Erving's honor at their practice facility.
"Once-in-a-decade, maybe once-in-a-lifetime type player," Erving said of Simmons. "Able to make everybody better. ... He's got that head up, he's looking at all times. Sometimes it looks like he's got eyes in the back of his head because he sees and feels one of his guys making a run to the hoop or spotting up at a certain position. That's just a gifted player who we are very fortunate to have on our team."
Simmons went on to record 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists — his 36th double-double of the season — in the win over Brooklyn. The Sixers have won 11 consecutive games for the first time since 1990 and sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 47-30.
Simmons' averages during this streak: 13.4 points on 58% shooting, 11.3 assists, 10.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals. He's the only player in the NBA averaging a triple-double over his last 14 games.
When made aware of Erving's praise?
"It's just surreal, especially coming from Doc," Simmons said. "I remember my dad used to talk about him a lot growing up and now I'm playing on the team that he used to play for. The guy who pretty much built this team up, the name of the Sixers, just based off the way he played. It's amazing. Amazing to hear that."
Follow USA TODAY Sports' AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK
Read Again Brow https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/04/04/76-ers-legend-julius-erving-ben-simmons-once-lifetime-type-player/484945002/
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "76ers legend Julius Erving: Ben Simmons a 'once-in-a-lifetime type player'"
Post a Comment