Ben Simmons just cannot stop getting dunked on. One day after getting posterized by Jayson Tatum, Simmons once again found himself the victim on Wednesday night in New York. This time the culprit was Knicks rookie Kevin Knox, who decided to show absolutely no mercy against Simmons at the rim. Yeesh, that is a tough look for Simmons. Not only was he completely wrecked by Knox at the rim, but the dunk was so vicious that it sent the young Sixers star flying to his caboose under the basket. Knox's brutal slam was made possible by a great pass from DeAndre Jordan, but not even Jordan could seem to believe what he witnessed. It led to yet another fantastic dunk reaction from the big man. As you'd imagine, Twitter had plenty to say about Simmons getting victimized for the second consecutive night, and there were plenty of jokes to go around. It's one thing to get dunked on during a game, but an especially bad posterization also brings the harsh reality of getting relentlessly dunked on by NBA Twitter. In any case, Simmons' 76ers came away with the 126-111 victory, so that's a plus. He'll also have a few days of rest before he has to subject himself to the possibility of getting dunked on again. Luckily, his next few games will be the the Rising Stars game and NBA All-Star Game this weekend, and defense in those games is generally considered optional.<doc-sep>PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) With Neymar out and Solskjaer in, United-PSG suddenly looks like a fair fight by Kameron Duncan Ben Simmons appears to lack confidence as a shooter, but his legit attempt from beyond the arc on Sunday looks like a sign that’s changing. Over 136 NBA games now, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons has attempted just 14 3-pointers. Every other part of his game is solid, as he’s averaging 16.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game this season, but he’s so bad as a shooter (including 59.4 percent from the line this season) there’s been speculation he should be shooting right-handed. Going into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Simmons’ career attempts from beyond the arc have been halfcourt heaves and attempts to beat a clock when there was no other choice. But there he was, almost a minute into the second half against the Lakers, within the flow of the 76ers’ normal offense, confidently stepping into a 3-pointer when he was left open. Ben Simmons attempts an actual 3 pointer! pic.twitter.com/xodIr5zo6u — The Render (@TheRenderNBA) February 10, 2019 The audible reaction from the home crowd says it all, and the shot almost went in. But with how LeBron James was guarding him on Sunday, and the way the rest of the NBA guards him, Simmons has to be willing to pull the trigger from beyond the arc. During the sequence below, as the first half wound down, James is sagging back all the way into the key, daring Simmons to shoot, and effectively making it 5-on-4 below the foul line until J.J. Redick comes around to take a pass. This defense by LeBron James shows exactly why Ben Simmons needs to develop a complimentary jump shot to his skilled arsenal. It could be the difference maker between the Sixers being a solid team, and being a GREAT team. pic.twitter.com/aKFRq1qQvX — NBA Breakdown (@NBABreakdown2) February 11, 2019 Speaking after the game about Simmons’ shot, Redick said he wasn’t surprised by it. But Joel Embiid spoke for the majority, saying “Are you sure?” and reflecting on his own thought in the moment (“What just happened?”) https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1094760076517277697 76ers’ coach Brett Brown suggested he’s talked recently with Simmons about shooting more from the perimeter, with last year’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics as a reference point. As the 76ers integrate newly acquired Tobias Harris into the mix, in preparation for a deep run in this year’s playoffs, having another 3-point shooting threat on the floor might be nice. Yes, Ben Simmons is tied for last in the NBA with 0 made 3s, but he ranks first in the NBA in assisted 3s with 189. https://t.co/jng1AQ4sGW pic.twitter.com/dHFSRLf1oZ — Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) February 10, 2019 On the notion Simmons should not be afraid to let it fly, Embiid spoke to his own shortcomings as a 3-point shooter (29.7 percent this season). He’s been working on it, and every day we tell him you’ve got to shoot it,” Embiid said. “I’m a 30 percent three-point shooter, and you’ve got guys that jump on my fake. I don’t understand how that’s possible, but they still do. There’s a line somewhere, and no one is calling for Simmons to suddenly become a volume 3-point shooter on the level of James Harden or Steph Curry. But he has to be willing to take the shots when they’re given to him, and Sunday’s near-miss looks like a good sign.<doc-sep>Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Joel Embiid was all of NBA Twitter as he watched Ben Simmons' unsuccessful three-point attempt in Sunday's 143-120 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Simmons launched just his third three-pointer of 2018-19 when he pulled up from beyond the arc in the third quarter. The shot rimmed out, and Lakers center JaVale McGee grabbed the rebound. Asked about the moment after the game, Embiid had the perfect response, per Sarah Todd of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Imagine how Embiid might react when Simmons actually makes the first three-pointer of his NBA career. The 2017-18 Rookie of the Year is now 0-of-14 through his first two seasons. Perhaps this is all part of a big hoax by Simmons and the Sixers that culminates in a three-point barrage in the NBA Finals.<doc-sep>Knicks rookie Kevin Knox dunked all over Ben Simmons. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks rookie Kevin Knox is having an up-and-down season, but one thing is for certain: The man can dunk. Knox put his athleticism on display Wednesday when he posterized Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons with a ferocious two-handed slam late in the first half. And although he only scored nine points on 10 shots in the 126-11 loss, he made his moment in the spotlight count as the jam threw Simmons to the ground and completely out of play. The Knicks’ bench exploded with about half the players venturing onto the court. Even Dennis Smith Jr., who was in the game, couldn’t help but run up to flex over the fallen Simmons. Adding insult to injury, Simmons was called for a foul on the play, although Knox, a 72.4 percent free throw shooter, could not convert the and-one. 🗣 TALK TO 'EM KEV! pic.twitter.com/aONlLEGhvb — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 14, 2019 The return of the DeAndre Jordan face If something looked oddly familiar about the dunk, that might have to do with the man who assisted Knox, DeAndre Jordan. With a hat tip to Rob Perez for pointing it out on Twitter, Jordan gave a look that was very familiar for any fans of Lob City or memes in general. Kevin Knox wrecks Ben Simmons and the DeAndre Brandon Knight face returns pic.twitter.com/v5YkOLtnhu — Wobvin Knox (@WorldWideWob) February 14, 2019 Yes, that look is almost exactly the same as the look Jordan gave after dunking all over Brandon Knight back in 2013 when he was on the Los Angeles Clippers – in case you didn’t know where the famous GIF came from. Jordan wasn’t the dunker this time, but the reaction was just the same. Pray for Ben Simmons. Story continues Joel Embiid nearly takes out a fan Knox’s dunk wasn’t the only meme-able moment from the Sixers-Knicks game. Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler broke up Boban Marjanovic’s tender pregame embrace with Jordan. In another Valentine’s Day-themed moment, Sixers head coach Brett Brown hugged Simmons. Joel Embiid even hit an outlet pass off J.J. Redick’s head. However, perhaps the wildest moment came when Embiid jumped over the scorer’s table to save a ball from going out of bounds. In the process, Embiid knocked over a computer monitor, caught a media member with his foot, and hurdled actress Regina King. Fortunately, everyone made it out safely, including King who may have a new favorite player. Yoooo. Thank you God and @JoelEmbiid for your athletic abilities. Crisis averted 🙏🏾 https://t.co/LLTtzECuV4 — Regina King (@ReginaKing) February 14, 2019 More from Yahoo Sports: • Cowboys QB has odd reason for not giving discount • Fired ESPN broadcaster: ‘I did nothing wrong’ • Tebow turned down return to professional football • Forde: How Duke pulled off historic rally vs. Louisville<doc-sep>
With football in the rearview, Sunday afternoons are now reserved for the gems of the NBA’s regular season, marquee matchups that showcase the league’s best teams and most exciting players. This Sunday’s star-packed contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers was a 143-120 blowout in Philly’s favor, but it produced at least one can-you-believe-it moment that set the crowd abuzz. Early in the third quarter, 76ers point forward Ben Simmons did the unthinkable: He took a 3-pointer. Ben Simmons just casually attempted a three.... Not a make, but, hey, he went for it! 👀 pic.twitter.com/g1NWrSUbWf — NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 10, 2019 Listen to the roar of the fans! Those lucky enough to see it in person will cherish the memory of Simmons pulling up from behind the arc and missing a 3 with time left on the shot clock. They were all witnesses to history. Even his teammates were talking about it after the game. JJ Redick said he wasn’t shocked by Ben Simmons’ 3-point attempt. Embiid: “Are you sure?” 😂 pic.twitter.com/JYl3AiKLWc — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 11, 2019 Simmons has taken just 15 3-pointers in his two years as a pro, and he’s missed all of them. For comparison’s sake, James Harden attempted 16 threes in just one game on Saturday. It’s tempting to imagine how dominant Simmons could be if he had a 3-point shot, but he nonetheless makes this basketball thing work despite his glaring on-court limitation. Yes, Ben Simmons is tied for last in the NBA with 0 made 3s, but he ranks first in the NBA in assisted 3s with 189. https://t.co/jng1AQ4sGW pic.twitter.com/dHFSRLf1oZ — Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) February 10, 2019 Simmons is wonderfully unique. At 6-foot-10, the 2017-2018 rookie of the year is a giant of a playmaker, and so much of Philadelphia’s offense revolves around his vision and passing ability. He’s a virtuosic athlete who can throw down monster dunks in traffic, but he also has the elastic handles of a diminutive point guard. The one thing he can’t do is shoot, and watching him you get the sense that he’d rather eat a bowl of wood screws than take a 3-pointer. Sunday’s long-range effort was just his third attempt this year, and it’s the closest he’s come to converting from downtown during his NBA career. Simmons has made just a single 3-pointer in competition since he made his college debut at LSU. That came in a loss against Charleston on Nov. 30, 2015. Video evidence of this shot is as rare and wobbly as Bigfoot’s highlight reel. (Bigfoot went 4-for-13 from 3 for Canisius in 1982.) The modern NBA is all about floor spacing, so it’s a near miracle that Simmons has become one of the league’s most effective stars while also being violently allergic to the mere idea of long-range shooting. He’s bound to make a 3-pointer one of these days—let’s hope Philadelphia approves the parade permits for when it happens.