'Ball don't lie': MP victorious 12 months after Simmons snub
Just over a year ago, Tim Watts took to the floor of the Federal Parliament in anger.
Waving around a Philadelphia 76ers jersey with Ben Simmons’ name on the back, the Labour MP had a bone to pick with the NBA.
Specifically, the NBA coaches who left Simmons’ name off last year’s All Star team.
This time around though, Watts was all smiles.
To a small smattering of cheers from the few other MPs in the Chamber, Watts proclaimed his victory.
“I rise today to claim victory on the occasion of Ben Simmons’ selection in the 2019 NBA All Star Game,” he said.
“Last year I used the outrageous exclusion of Ben Simmons from the 2018 All Star game to draw attention to the golden generation of Australians playing in the NBA, and the way these extraordinary Aussies truly represent the confident, modern nation we have become.”
Ball don’t lie – @BenSimmons25 is an @NBAAllStar and immigration makes Australia stronger.
Shout out to Sunshine Longhorns product @ForeverDeng who is now following in @ThonMaker14’s footsteps, balling beside NBA champ @mathewdelly. pic.twitter.com/3xMk5mtb9G
— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) February 14, 2019
Watts’ speech, in which he applauded fellow NBA stars Matthew Dellavedova, Patty Mills and new league entrants Jonah Bolden and Deng Adel, was a far cry from the tirade he delivered last year.
The member for Gellibrand took aim at the injury replacement players who had been selected ahead of Simmons, memorably Miami point guard Goran Dragic.
“Frankly, no one with two brain cells to rub together would want Goran Dragic on their team over Ben,” he said.
“If you thought we were angry about The Simpsons v Australia TV episode, you ain’t seen nothing yet, Yanks.”
Simmons was selected as an All Star reserve by the league’s coaches, and was drafted by All Star captain Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Soon after though, the other All Star captain, LeBron James, traded former MVP Russell Westbrook so he could play alongside his Australian protege.
