Sixers star Ben Simmons has been the target of criticism ever since his meltdown in the NBA playoffs.
After helping the Sixers secure the top seed in the East, Simmons’ offensive struggles got exposed in an epic way, to the point where he was literally turning down open shots under the rim.
In the end, Philadelphia got eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks, marking another disappointing playoff exit in the Simmons/Embiid era.
Even now, weeks later, rumors and speculation continue to run wild as folks proceed to take the occasional jab towards the young star’s direction.
In a short Tweet, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor became the latest to throw a stone at Simmons and his flaws.
Disappointing news: Ben Simmons is still shooting with the wrong hand.
Disappointing news: Ben Simmons is still shooting with the wrong hand. pic.twitter.com/Fuc0PCtGGA
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) August 9, 2021
These Simmons summer shooting videos have become a yearly tradition. They usually feature Ben shooting lights out in an open, unguarded gym.
It usually does a good job of generating hope and optimism about what is to come. This year, though, people just aren’t buying it, and O’Connor’s tweet demonstrates that fact.
In this case, however, someone actually came to SImmons’ defense.
In response to the above Tweet, Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic responded with a pretty fiery comeback:
Disappointing news: Kevin still has a job.
Disappointing news:Kevin still has a job. https://t.co/Xh3vWkRFtW
— Jusuf Nurkić 🇧🇦 (@bosnianbeast27) August 9, 2021
Why Nurkic, of all people, is the one standing up for Simmons is still a mystery, but fans were quick to tell him how O’Connor might have a point.
C'mon Nurk I'm a fan but Kevin is a great reporter and he's making this point based on observable facts about which hand Simmons prefers for everything else he does. Why come for a media member's job like that?
— William Hammond (@hammondwill01) August 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/atdickwrong/status/1424830236894498823
Better at his job that you ever will be lol
— GM (@GMsBurner) August 9, 2021
Idk man, KOC was one of the only media guys that had Portland pegged as bad as you guys were last season.
— Cole (@Glycoleysis) August 9, 2021
You still mad he was right about your team?
— Kareem (@Kareem_is_it) August 9, 2021
Naturally, people have theorized that Nurk’s attitude towards O’Connor is the result of some bitter feelings about a past Tweet.
“The Blazers are comically overrated,” Kevin tweeted in Decmber of last year. “Nurkic still isn’t near his pre-injury self. He can’t move the way he used to. Covington is getting way too much hype. He has elite off-ball D but only solid on-ball D. Blazers are a likely play-in tournament team. And that’s about it. Sorry.”
The Blazers are comically overrated. Nurkic still isn’t near his pre-injury self. He can’t move the way he used to. Covington is getting way too much hype. He has elite off-ball D but only solid on-ball D. Blazers are a likely play-in tournament team. And that’s about it. Sorry. https://t.co/X9jhVIkKFg
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) December 23, 2020
Wherever the inspiration for this clap-back originated, Nurkic is no longer holding back how he feels.
If he keeps that line of thinking, we’re in for one heck of a show when the season starts.
As for Simmons, posting shooting videos online isn’t going to be enough. The dude has got to play better when it counts, or all the doubters and haters will only get louder.
