After seeing some of the best players to ever play in the NBA, Larry Brown has a deep understanding of what it takes for someone to be a point guard. Having said that, the legendary coach recently made an appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic's Midday Show, where he blasted the people who consider Ben Simmons as such.
The legendary coach made it clear he doesn’t believe he is one, and even went as far as calling the ones who’s saying he is a point guard as “ridiculous,” as well as “morons.”
“He’s not a point guard. Everybody that’s saying that is ridiculous.”
“I watched that kid at Montverde. He’s a point guard when he gets the ball in the half court. He’s a point guard if he gets the ball off the board because he’s such a willing passer and so good with the ball, but if he’s going to have to back it down and bring the ball up against little guys, it’s going to take away from what he’s capable of doing. Whoever is saying that is a moron.”
However, Brown gave the Philadelphia 76ers rookie a lot of credit for his strengths on the floor, and also cited the instances when he thinks he acts as a floor general.
“He’s a point guard in transition. He’s a point guard when he gets the ball off the board. But he’s not a point guard running ball screens. He’s not a point guard bringing the ball up. It’s not fair to him. He’s a great passer. He’s a willing passer.
“It’s never fair to compare players, but he’s 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. That’s more like Ben and the way he plays. It’s not like a true point guard bringing the ball up like Kyrie Irving or Chris Paul or somebody like that.
This definitely says a lot about Simmons’ game as even if he is 6-foot-10, he has the ability to bring down the ball, and at times, even set up the plays for the Sixers. It remains to be seen what his real role will be once he makes his debut, but for now, it will be hard to contest the champion coach’s take on him, unless he's proven otherwise.