The Nets forward made an initial statement about the 76ers star ahead of Game 2 of his team’s first-round series against Philadelphia. Dudley doubled down Monday and gave the media more detail regarding his opinions on the second-year player.
“My comments were basically directed as me being a coach or analyst, directing how we’re going to guard someone,” Dudley told reporters, via ESPN. “How we’re trying to guard (Simmons) is put him in the half court. The difference is I’m a player that just voices my opinion more directly.
“I think he’s average in the half court, but you’re going to put him in because he’s elite, All-Star level in the full court.”
Dudley went on to say that Simmons is predictable in the half court, and seems to think his experience can be a way to limit Simmon’s go-to moves.
“I’m a 12-year guy. I’m not going to give you those points,” Dudley said. “I’ve guarded Kobe (Bryant) in the playoffs, Brandon Roy and Dirk Nowitzki. Those guys you have to play further out, so it’s not being disrespectful. Now he might have taken it (that way) because he heard the word average. So once he gets going, and he had such a good game (in Game 2). In all those good games, I’m not on him.”
Simmons erupted for a playoff career-high 31 points in Game 2 of the series, following Dudley’s first comments on the subject. It appears the two have developed ill will for one another, as they’ve been jawing ever since.
Dudley was ejected from the Nets’ Game 4 loss for shoving Joel Embiid after the center committed a flagrant foul on Jarrett Allen. A scuffle followed in the aftermath, resulting in the ejection of Philadelphia’s Jimmy Butler.
Nevertheless, the 76ers came out on top, claiming a 112-108 victory. Simmons posted 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Brooklyn hasn’t won since it upset Philadelphia in Game 1, and now it will face elimination Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center.
