Ben Simmons Explains Infamous 2021 Playoff Pass
Simmons revisited the moment he passed to Matisse Thybulle instead of dunking in Game 7 vs. Atlanta, saying he misjudged how much open space he had.
Speaking on the podcast TheOldManAndTheThree, Simmons said: "In that moment I just turned and assumed Trae [Young] was going to come at me faster. I thought he was about to fly in, and I saw Matisse [Thybulle]. Matisse is very athletic, he can easily finish above the rim. I thought, 'Okay, I'll give a quick pass — he'll dunk it.' I just didn't realise how much space there actually was. Everything happened so fast that you just make a decision in the moment. And in the playoffs you need to make the right decision most of the time. I was like, 'Alright, damn, now I need to create another chance.' That's exactly what I was thinking at the time. I didn't even realise how much this moment would blow up online. I thought, 'Is it really that serious?' Now, when I watch that moment back, I think, 'Damn, I should have thrown it down myself.' But that's not what happened, and I'm fine with it. I can live with it. Everyone's trying to destroy me over one play. Maybe you want to watch the whole game with me and break down every moment? I can go through all of it, if you want."
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