http://www.expressnews.com/sports/sp...#photo-8298514
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Thanks for posting :toast
This is such a cool story. Him getting picked up in Austin on an open tryout and eventually making the big club is akin to Vince Papale making the NFL Eagles on a tryout.
Great success story. I hope this is the beginning of great things for him with the Spurs this year.
Didn't realize he was on the all defensive team last year:
Paul Garcia PS @PaulGarciaPS
You can see why Simmons was on the All-Defensive team in the D-League last year. Really good at disrupting passing lanes, active on defense.
THIRD team all defensive. So not that great actually.Quote:
Originally Posted by ace3g
You're missing Simmons on your sig broQuote:
Originally Posted by ace3g
Third better then 4thQuote:
Originally Posted by ceperez
Quote:
Originally Posted by 808
It's exciting when players get an opportunity and they run with it. Looks like he wants to prove to himself and the organization that it was a wise decision
I haven't seen any of the SL games but just based on what I've been reading in the game threads and game thoughts, I really like this kid. The Spurs could use another solid defender on the team.
Hes an über athletic slasher. The Spurs don't really get a lot of those players. Factor in that he also happens to have a decent 3 point shot and good defensive instincts and we might have a winner!
I think we'll see him in the dunk contest, especially after what we saw today :wow.
hmm 6 foot 5.
Thought he is 6 foot 6 or 7
Lavine will defend his throne though (if he intend to)Quote:
Originally Posted by aintjustthem
I'm hoping he'll do better than "next mensah bonsu", tbh
The Spurs wouldn't guarantee the whole season if they didn't think his game would translate, would they? They must see some really good potential there for him to make the leap to the next level.
I really like what I've seen so far. Hopefully he can keep improving and bring this all around game of his to the NBA. I love that he can drive to the rim. I've really wanted a SG/SF that can do that for years once Manu started doing it less and less. Also, if he also focuses on defense just as much as on offense, then I like this signing even more.
First post on ST.
The cap casualties of Joseph, Belinelli and Baynes have basically been replaced my 2 players who good seasons in leagues outside of the NBA last year, and one player who was a solid back up last year. All of which are low risk high potential guys.
McCallum fills the Joseph role who can run the team with athletism but can also play defense it seems.
Boban fills the natural center who offers rim protection role but apparently also has soft hands and can shoot fts too lol.
Simmons seems to be a solid defender with athletism, yet is a good slasher and can shoot the 3 too which could potentially help fill the 2-wag wing slasher back up role in some capacity?
Interesting news.
Edit: anyone heard of what the status for Emeka Okafor is? Is he a free agent? He is coming back from neck surgery and seems to be a good candidate for a contender to take a risk on him as a low risk high reward interior defensive center.
Thanks for sharing this article.
Good stuff. Thanks OP.
Spurs will ban him from participating in the dunk contest.Quote:
Originally Posted by aintjustthem
I would not be surprise if Spurs will ban him from dunking during a game.
You saw the last game right? Simmons was in the clear for a massive dunk, but lays it up in Spurs fashion.
HUGE improvements every year
Austin Toros/Spurs[edit]
In October 2013, Simmons tried out for the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League and made the team's training camp roster.[7] He went on to make the Toros' opening night roster,[8] and in 44 games as a rookie in 2013–14, he averaged
9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.[9]
Simmons returned to Austin in 2014–15, with the team's name having changed to the Spurs.[10] He improved his game in 2014–15 and subsequently scored a career-high 30 points against the Bakersfield Jam on January 9, 2015.[11] In 50 games on the season, he averaged
15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game,[9] and was named to the NBA D-League All-Defensive third team.[12]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathon_Simmons
A couple more years of similar improvements and he's a solid NBA player.
... he was trolling the bench.Quote:
Originally Posted by ceperez
he should send his mom a bunch of his new BenjaminsQuote:
Originally Posted by Marcus Bryant
Quote:
Originally Posted by ceperez
I always wondered that that was about. I used to hate watching splitter right under the basket attempt and miss those stupid reverse layups. Throw it down for christs sake
I am happy for him. That was a nice story.
Thats really awesome, hope he succeeds well. I love every addition the Spurs have done this summer tbh
The Spurs don't coach their players not to dunk.Quote:
Originally Posted by philldafunk
Yes, they coach them to take the simple play over the flashy one, but that pertains more to alley-oops or trying to dunk over a crowd when a layup would be more feasible.
But I guarantee Pop and everyone on the coach staff would rather take the sure two-points if its available.
I love his athleticism and fire. For what is worth Kawhi's max vert is 32" and Jonathon's 38" but he has a wingspan of 6'8" compared to Kawhi's at 7'3". More jump, less reach.
Nice write up by EN. I don't know if his game will translate to the Pros, but I'm glad Spurs are giving him a shot and he appears to have the requisite hunger to take advantage of the opportunity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cd98
Good read, thanks for posting. Look forward to seeing this kid play in the big leagues!