'It's not being disrespectful': Dudley doubles down on 'average' Simmons sledge
Ben Simmons’ rivalry with Jared Dudley is set to continue after the Nets’ veteran doubled down on his call the Aussie All-Star was “average” from half-court.
Tension has been simmering all series between the 76s and the Nets and the feud went to the next level after a scuffle in game four.
Dudley was labelled a “nobody” by 76s centre Joel Embiid after a fiery exchange between himself and his opponents, which saw the veteran ejected from game four.
Facing Playoffs elimination Dudley continued to ignite the feud between himself and Aussie Ben Simmons when he explained his “average” comments to reporters.
“It’s good Playoffs basketball,” Dudley said.
“The comments were directed as basically me being a coach or analyst, directed at how we are going to guard someone.
“How we are trying to guard him is we are trying to put him in half-court.
“The difference is I am a player that just voices my opinion more directly, not really caring about what their feelings are about, my feeling is, I think he is average at half-court.
“Which is where you got to put him because he is elite, All-Star level in the full court.”
Dudley went on to explain he has guarded NBA All-Stars such as Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki and wasn’t worried about Simmons in the half-court.
“In the half court he tells you (where he’s going). He comes right at you off that left shoulder, hook with the right hand 95 per cent of the time, so you know that. And then he gets a lot of offensive rebounds,” he added.
“Me, I’m a 12-year guy so I’m not going to give you those points. I’ve guarded Kobe in the playoffs, Brandon Roy, Dirk Nowitzki, those guys you need to play further out.
“It’s not being disrespectful. He might have taken it that way because he heard the word ‘average’.
“Once we slow him up, there’s no need to help,” Dudley added.
“That’s where he gets you, he gets in the paint and finds his shooters. I’ve tried to tell my teammates, you can’t over help.”
Simmons has responded after a poor first game to help carry the 76s to a 3-1 lead heading back to Philadelphia.
