[Athletic] Ben Simmons’ teammates shower him with praise after Clippers debut
Batum:
“It’s easy to play basketball with smart players,” said Clippers veteran Nicolas Batum, who first joined the Clippers as a post-buyout signing in December 2020. “That’s why he was the No. 1 pick, that’s why he was an All-Star in the NBA, because he’s a unique player, a very good basketball player. He just needs the right system, the right person to get his confidence back. And I’ve been there. I’ve been in his shoes five years ago. I think he came to the right spot to get it.”
Zubac:
“He did everything we asked him to do: Rebound, defend, push the ball in transition, create for others, attack the rim,” Zubac said of Simmons. “When they doubled James, he was really good flashing in the middle and playmaking from there. It was great, man. It was all that we expected and more. I think he played great, and I think he’s going to be huge for us.”
Powell:
“Honestly, I think as soon as he checked in,” Clippers shooting guard Norman Powell said of when the light bulb came on for Simmons in his Clippers debut. “Just the passes and reads that he made, talking to me especially and some of the other guys. Just when he has the ball, what he’s looking for. Running the lane, getting out in transition and running with them. Because he’s such a great passer, he sees the floor so well.”
Harden:
“He’s skilled. He knows how to play the game of basketball,” Harden said of Simmons. “Hell of a passer, can push the ball in transition. Just smart.”
Simmons:
“Just taking it a play at a time,” Simmons said of being a part of a customary Clippers comeback. “That’s just my whole philosophy playing the game anyways, having a short-term memory in terms of the next play, focusing on the next play. So whether it goes our way or not, getting a stop, getting a bucket, it’s the next play after that. So just being consistent with that and staying on that.”
Lue:
“Just getting a feel for how they (were) playing us and getting a feel for how Ben will play for us, it was new for us,” Lue said after the game. “It was his first game, and so I thought he did a great job just reading the game, his IQ, making the right play, aggressive to the basket. I thought it was really good for us.”