Kyrie Irving screams at Ben Simmons to ‘shoot it’ but later says give him ‘a f****** chance’

Kyrie Irving has told NBA media to give Nets star Ben Simmons ‘a f****** chance’, following Brooklyn’s 110-99 loss to Milwaukee. 

Simmons once again stole the spotlight in the Nets’ third loss on the season after being bullied by Giannis Antetokounmpo, and catching Irving’s ire. 

The one-time NBA champion could be heard yelling ‘shoot it Ben’ during the third quarter as Simmons hesitated in the key before passing back to Kevin Durant. 

Ben Simmons has shown promising signs in spurts since beginning his Brooklyn Nets career

Ultimately Durant’s shot fell in but social media and reporters alike noticed Simmons’ hesitation being eerily similar to his unwillingness to shoot during the playoffs two seasons ago in Philadelphia. 

Following the Nets’ humbling loss, Irving told reporters to lay off the embattled Australian.

‘You guys keep coming in here asking me like what about Ben?’ Irving said postgame.

Nets guard Kyrie Irving was exasperated both during the game and at the podium postgame

‘He hasn’t played in two years. Give him give him a f****** chance. We stay on his s**t…you just stay on him. But we’re here to give him positive affirmations and just let him hoop.

‘While he’s hooping and getting back into it, we’re gonna have to really gel as a team in order to learn how to win as a group. 

‘It’s not an individual’s job to go out there and be Superman. He doesn’t have to. There’s no such thing, it’s made up anyway.’

The Melbourne-born star yelled at Simmons to shoot from close range in the third quarter

It was a trying night for Simmons overall, after he went 2-for-7 from the field. Although he did provide nine assists, five rebounds and two steals. 

Antetokounmpo was crucial to the Bucks’ comeback win over Brooklyn and he added some spice to his matchup with Simmons upon extending the Milwaukee lead to 100-85. 

Backing up on Simmons, The Greek Freak made a nice move to spin toward the baseline, before going vertical to put in a contested layup. 

While Simmons only scored four points, he did provide nine assists, five rebounds & two steals

In celebration, Antetokounmpo alluded to Simmons being too small by bringing out the customary ‘you’re too little’ celebration.  

Antetokounmpo’s 43 points, 14 rebounds and five assists inspired the Bucks’ comeback, with 34 of those points coming in the second half. 

Milwaukee outscored the Nets 67-44 over the final two periods as Brooklyn head coach Steve Nash was ejected for a second technical foul in the third quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo proved far too good for Simmons and the entire Nets Wednesday

Nash was ejected for the first time as Nets coach since taking over at the start of the 2020-21 season. During his playing days, the former MVP was ejected just twice during an 18-season career. 

While Brooklyn slipped to 1-3 there were positive signs from its main man, Kevin Durant. 

The former UT star finished with 33 points and six rebounds. Irving had a strong performance too, grabbing 27 points and nine rebounds. 

The Nets will look to rebound at home vs. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Thursday night