LA Clippers fans have patiently waited for a true veteran point guard on the team’s second unit this season, and Clippers executive Lawrence Frank did just that. Lawrence Frank went out and acquired Ben Simmons after the trade deadline last week on the buyout market. This addition of Ben Simmons changes the Clippers’ landscape because Simmons takes over on the floor during games whenever James Harden is on the bench.
In his first game with the Clippers last week, Ben Simmons was part of the 24-point comeback against the Utah Jazz on the road. Ben Simmons played well in the first half in his Clipper debut. Simmons’ first basket as a Clipper came off an alley-oop from Harden in the first quarter. Though Ben Simmons didn’t make that much of an impact during the first half of the game in Utah last week, Clippers head coach Ty Lue waited to see how Ben Simmons did during the second half.
In the first half of the game, Ty Lue tested a lineup for the Clippers that had Ben Simmons, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and James Harden. Though it didn’t work well during the first half, LA needed Harden to help the team make a comeback against the Jazz last week on the road. Ty Lue played Ben Simmons and Harden for a significant amount of time in the final two-quarters of the game against Utah.
Overall, Ben Simmons’ debut with the Clippers last week was amazing. The three-time all-star found a place on the team. Though Simmons’ momentum stemmed from the defensive end, as he had several turnovers throughout the game in Utah, Simmons did have some bright spots in the game. Simmons had 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a block while shooting 4-5 from the field and 4-4 from the free-throw line.
With the latest addition to the Clippers, the team is looking to make a statement in the loaded Western Conference. With a record of 31 wins and 25 losses, the Clippers are sitting comfortably in 6th in the standings, maintaining their position as the team looks to make a run for the playoffs as well as pursue a championship this season!
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