Feb 3, 2016

Kobe is on

 

Feb 2, 2016

Exclusive: Inside the crazy world of Aussie Louisiana State University star Ben Simmons

• 3 hours ago
• by OLGUN ULUC IN BATON ROUGE
• Source: FOX SPORTS

BEN Simmons arrived at Louisiana State University’s beautiful campus less than a year ago, and he’s making sure to enjoy the short time he has left.

Becoming the second Aussie behind Andrew Bogut to go No 1 in the NBA Draft is almost certain for the 19-year-old later this year, which means his days as an LSU Tiger are numbered.

If anything, this reality has only encouraged Simmons to embrace the college experience, even with the unrivalled media attention that surrounds him.

“College life is fun. It’s a lot different to the start of the year, when there wasn’t so much attention on me. Now it’s just insane,” Simmons told foxsports.com.au.

“People read so much about me, and what’s going on. People seem like they know me, like when I go out to eat, people come up to me for photos, or when I’m pumping petrol, people come up to me for pictures, but it’s fun.”

“It’s less on campus, just because it’s during school. So they’ll just say ‘hi’ or ‘good game’.”

The hype around Simmons may be intense, but it’s more than warranted.

The freshman is averaging an impressive 19.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, and is the projected No 1 lottery pick.

The draft, however, is an afterthought for Simmons, who is intent on having the ‘normal’ student-athlete experience — as much as that is possible.

“A typical training day, I would lift weights, come to practice, go to film [study], and then hit the court again. Class is usually in the morning, so as soon as that’s finished, I’d go to weights,” Simmons said.

Simmons’s ability to remain grounded is aided by his roommate, Keith Hornsby, who’s a senior, and a favourite among the LSU faithful.

The other teammate who has Simmons’s ear is fellow Australian Darcy Malone.

The big man out of Canberra was teammates with Simmons in 2012, as Australia won silver at the under-17 world championships.

The two have remained close friends, ultimately reconnecting in Baton Rouge.

Malone is the team’s ‘glue guy.’

He’s a jovial character who not only keeps his team’s spirits high, but also acts as a voice of reason for his fellow Australian.

“It’s good that I’ve been with [Hornsby and Malone] since I got here, just because they’ve seen all of this develop, so it’s not a big shock to them,” Simmons said.

“Every time they turn on ESPN, I seem to be on it, but it’s kind of normal now, so they don’t really look at me any other way. I’m just Ben.”

“Also, Keith took me on my visit when I came here, so I was just Ben, the high school kid.”

The hype, however, is nearly impossible to avoid. Whether it’s the No 25 jerseys around campus, or the fact that Simmons’s name is plastered across television screens, even when he’s not playing, the attention is palpable, and it isn’t going away.

One person who has been in the midst of it all is LSU’s co-head manager, Hays Myers.

Myers has been a part of LSU basketball for five seasons, and has seen the highs and lows of the program.

“There’s been a change in culture, and it has a lot to do with Ben,” Myers said.

“It’s part of being who he is, and the hype. Because he committed so early, everybody knew that he was coming here, so throughout his high school career, people started to tune in.”

One knock on Simmons that is spreading across NBA front offices is that he possesses a certain level of arrogance.

But Myers was quick to shut down that assertion.

“He embraces the spotlight. It’s not a matter of him thinking he’s too good, I think it’s a matter of him enjoying the spotlight. He enjoys being that guy,” Myers said.

“When people talk about him maybe being arrogant, he’s not like that at all. He knows every one of our names, and he treats us the same as he would treat his best friend from back home.”

On the court, Simmons is certainly as generous as anyone.

Some have argued maybe even too so — his lack of aggression has been widely criticised — but, as a freshman, it’s a balance that he’s working on.

For every criticism, there’s also praise, and that comes with Simmons’s unique ability to play on the perimeter as a big man.

That skillset is no accident, with Simmons regularly joining the guards during practice sessions.

“I can either train with the guards or bigs. I work on both sides of my game,” Simmons said.

“I think I’ve slowly become more assertive, I’m still trying to get to that next level of just taking over games, but that’ll come, so I’m not too worried. It’s easier said than done.

“I want to improve my ball handling. Just being able to make a move, and create a shot. I can do that, but I think it’s just, the college game is so different to NBA and high school, because when you get to the NBA, there’s more space to go one-on-one.”

It’s true — Simmons’s game is better suited to the NBA: the spacing would allow him to show off his elite passing game, while opening up the floor for him to get to the rim.

However, the common theme that Simmons preaches is to focus on the now.

“I just focus on what I can control, and just play as hard as I can.”

Despite being the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is a relatively small college town.

The entertainment options are limited, with even locals conceding that there really isn’t too much to do.

Simmons has only been in the city for a short time, but his thoughts comically echoed the sentiments of the locals.

“Everyone asks me, but I still don’t know what to do in Baton Rouge. I really don’t know. I just chill at home, really,” Simmons said.

“I’ve got to the point where, if I go out after the game, it’s because people have come up to me, but sometimes I don’t feel like dealing with that.”

“Mardi Gras [in nearby New Orleans] is coming up, and all that. But I don’t know what else there is to do. I’m in college so there’s a lot of stuff going on.”

Parades are the last thing on Simmons’s mind.

LSU has a 13-8 record and their NCAA tournament hopes are hanging in the balance with two months of the regular season yet to play.

Simmons is confident — the competitive side of him won’t allow him to think otherwise — but he’s making sure to enjoy the journey.

“We can definitely still make [the NCAA tournament]. If we win the SEC [Southeastern Conference], that’s going to be huge,” Simmons said.

“It’s just about enjoying it all, though. Rooming with Keith and Darcy, and having teammates like these.

“They’re like my brothers, so we just have fun and enjoy it. We don’t get into too much of the media stuff. We just try to have fun on the court.”

From the games, to the practice court, and the time spent together on campus, this LSU basketball team is visibly having a lot of fun.

But, for what will almost certainly be his only season at LSU, Simmons’ hope is to make the tournament.

It’s the biggest spectacle in all of college sports.

March Madness.

The Big Dance.

Now, what sounds more fun than that?

 

Jan 31, 2016

Kobe's all star game kicks >

 

Jan 22, 2016

Ty Lue will always be remember as the guy Iverson stepped over in the finals

 

Jan 22, 2016

I never thought of Blatt as a good coach but his firing is very surprising. The team is leading the conference and just came off a win. You really never know anymore

 

Jan 22, 2016

Guys, Love is f---in overrated. Sure you can maybe get a little more out of him but he's not gonna be the great number 2 piece that people are still expecting of him.

 

Jan 22, 2016

So basically, this is now COMPLETELY LeBron's team. He's gotten players he wanted. The city he wanted. The situation he wanted. The conference he wanted to be in obviously. And now the coach he wanted I guess. When he loses again, I hope there isn't any more of that "he didn't have help" talk. Top 5 Pg and Top 5 PF, in the most orchestrated situation ever by a player

 

Jan 22, 2016

lmao @ the cavs.

 

Jan 21, 2016

The fact that andre iggy is hitting threes now(40% on the year ).... barnes looking confident too.
Good a--- combo

 

Jan 20, 2016

Some Sixers fans are debating if they would rather Simmons or Ingram. Apparently Ingram is closing the gap between pick 1&2. He looks like the perfect fit for Philly as well, would easily slot into our 3 and he's a good s---t which we desperately need. But being an Aussie I would be pissed off if we dont get Simmons.

 

Jan 7, 2016

Ben Simmons Highlights against Kentucky:


Ben Simmons segment on First Take:

 

Jan 6, 2016

bensimmons25 I rock LSU gold on these @champagnepapi

 

Jan 4, 2016

There's gonna be a lot of variables that go into him coming back. He's got 1 more year after this one, so we have to see if he's going to be healthy, then what kind of numbers is he putting up? I don't think a lot of teams are gonna line up to overpay a guy with his injury history, unless he's putting up crazy numbers. I think he wants to stay, so if he's healthy and playing well I don't see why they can't come together on a fair deal. I really don't mind him being #2 to Jimmy, if anything it's more a testament to how much better Jimmy keeps getting.

He says he forgot to grab it when they were heading back onto the court after halftime, but I think he was just fed up with it at that point.

 

Jan 4, 2016

Man that boy growin' up quick.

Really disappointing this video doesn't have Stacy King's commentary but oh well. The team will reach it's full potential ONLY when Jimmy and D Rose figure out how to get it going during the same game.

 

Jan 3, 2016

"HE CAN'T GUARD ME" @Jet @Poohdini

 

Jan 1, 2016

 

Dec 25, 2015

d--- I hate Warriors fans.

 

Dec 24, 2015

Finals rematch won't be as close as people are expecting, Warriors will go on a big run pronably in the 3rd to pull way ahead.

Cavs are overrated IMO, Thunder Spurs and Warriors are all more dangerous.

 

Dec 24, 2015

bleacherreport Waking up tomorrow like...

 

Dec 24, 2015

Big day in the league tomorrow @NBAsxn Here's the entire Christmas Day schedule.

New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat, noon ET (ESPN)
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder, 2:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors, 5 p.m. ET (ABC)
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Clippers at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

I got Miami, Chicago, Cleveland, San Antonio, and the Clippers, hopefully with some vintage Kobe magic thrown in. I can't wait for the Cavs/GS game, I think Cleveland pulls that one out with a great performance from LeBron.

Who you guys got in each game? Which game are you most excited for?