Irving has praise for Simmons
BASKETBALL: History will be made when Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving suit up alongside each other for the All-Star game.
It will be a dream come true for 22-year-old Simmons when he makes his All-Star debut in Charlotte, North Carolina, today (11am AEST) and it will be the sixth time Irving will feature.
Simmons and Irving, both born in Melbourne and the sons of US basketball imports, will form a potent backcourt on a team led by LeBron James and featuring Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis.
“I’m looking forward to the first experience of being an All-Star,” Philadelphia 76ers’ point-forward Simmons said.
“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity competing against the best guys in the world.”
Irving, a dual Australian-US citizen, has told the NBA he wants to be classified as Australian despite electing to play for Team USA at the Olympics and World Cup.
On Saturday (AEST) the Boston Celtics point guard coached the US team against Simmons’ international squad in the Rising Stars game.
Irving has plenty of praise for the basketball acumen of Simmons and ability to make an All-Star team in just his second year in the league.
“Ben has been doing it,” the 26-year-old Irving said.
“He has a great mentor in LeBron. It’s awesome for him.”
Team LeBron will play Team Giannis in the annual All-Star game. James and Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two top All-Star vote-getters, took turns selecting their squads.
— Peter Mitchell