One thing that you have to admire about former NBA and college basketball coach Larry Brown is he shoots from the hip and really doesn’t care if your feelings take a hit.
For the past two or three months there has been something of a minor controversy regarding how the Philadelphia 76ers plan on using point forward Ben Simmons next season. Will he be playing as a traditional point guard or as a point forward?
Head coach Brett Brown has expressed some uncertainty for a few months as to how Simmons will be utilized before deciding on playing him at point guard, while general manager Bryan Colangelo has reportedly always been confident about their would-be young star’s ability to defend other lead guards in the NBA.
But coach Larry Brown, who last coached at Southern Methodist University, has no qualms about telling anyone who will listen how he feels.
After missing his rookie season with a Jones fracture in his right foot, the Sixers will try the 6-foot-10 Simmons at point guard in 2017-18.
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Hes not a point guard, Brown said Monday on 97.5 The Fanatic’s Midday Show. Everybody thats saying that is ridiculous.
I watched that kid at Montverde. Hes a point guard when he gets the ball in the half court. Hes a point guard if he gets the ball off the board because hes such a willing passer and so good with the ball, but if hes going to have to back it down and bring the ball up against little guys, its going to take away from what hes capable of doing. Whoever is saying that is a moron.
Sheesh! That one may have burned off the eyebrows of Sixers brass, but Brown did clarify some more.
Hes a point guard in transition, Brown said. Hes a point guard when he gets the ball off the board. But hes not a point guard running ball screens. Hes not a point guard bringing the ball up. Its not fair to him. Hes a great passer. Hes a willing passer.
Its never fair to compare players, but hes a little like Magic in terms of his size and his ability to pass the ball, but I think he can play on any team and be successful. Look at the big kid in Milwaukee the Greek Freak (Giannis Antetokounmpo) look at Paul George to an extent, (Kevin) Durant to an extent. Thats more like Ben and the way he plays. Its not like a true point guard bringing the ball up like Kyrie Irving or Chris Paul or somebody like that.
