Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets have made a strong start to life without Kevin Durant with the Australian All-Star stunning in a passing clinic against the Boston Celtics.
With Durant out for up to a month with a knee injury, Simmons stepped up amassing a staggering 10 assists in the first half to go with five rebounds and no turnovers.
He didn’t, however, register a single point and found himself benched late in the half after falling into foul trouble.
NBA analyst Richard Jefferson lauded Simmons’ play but urged him to attack the basket.
“The pace has been picked up allowing Ben Simmons to play in transition. I’d say half his assists have come on the break,” he said.
“But he needs to look at the rim more. He can’t just rely on Kyrie, Seth Curry and Joe Harris.”
Speaking at halftime, fellow analyst Kenny Smith called out the “misconception” when it came to Simmons.
“I think there’s such a misconception at times about scoring,” he said.
“Yes he could score more but his biggest value is that he can defend, rebound and pass the ball at pace like no one else can do.
“Give me 20 assists and 10 rebounds, who cares how many you score.”
NBA legend Charles Barkley, however, disagreed.
“You can’t go a whole half without scoring,” he said.
“It’s almost impossible for a guy that talented to go a whole half without scoring. He ain’t even looking at the basket.”
It was a solid first half for the Nets minus their All-Star Durant, going toe-to-toe with Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.
Irving has 14 points including three, three-pointers while TJ Warren has provided 13 points off the bench.
Tatum (14 points) and Derrick White (12 points) lead the way for the Celtics who are without Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics lead 60-57 at halftime.
Here’s how the NBA reacted to Simmons’ passing exhibition.