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Jonathon Simmons Could be the X-Factor for the Spurs Against the Warriors

From D-League to the San Antonio Spurs, Jonathon Simmons has improved each step of the way. And they'll need even more of that in the Western Conference Finals.
© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Paying $150 to attend a D-League tryout in 2013 changed Jonathon Simmons's life. Before trying out for the Austin Toros (now Spurs), Simmons had been something of a basketball vagabond—to the point that the Houston native almost gave up on his dream of playing the sport professionally.

He kept at it, though, improving his game in the D-League and then becoming the darling of the 2015 Las Vegas Summer league, where he helped lead the Spurs to the title with an MVP performance in the Championship Game. His play in Vegas earned Simmons a two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, instantly fulfilling his dream of playing in the NBA.

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Simmons's fairytale story went on to plateau with the Spurs in his first year, but now, in his second season in San Antonio, he has a consistent role off the bench. In 78 games, Simmons averaged 6.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in just 17.8 minutes per game. While Simmons's field goal and three-point shooting percentages dipped from his first year to his second—42 percent and 29.4 percent, down from 50 and 38.3 percent, respectively—his vastly-improved defense and athleticism provide a new intangible off the bench for the Spurs.

Simmons's impact in San Antonio is no surprise to George Brosky, former D-League assistant coach and current player development consultant with Justin Zormelo's BestBall Analytics. Brosky was part of the coaching staff in Austin for a year when Simmons was on the team and believes that the Spurs shooting guard will likely expand even further on the fundamentals he learned in the D-League.

"Brian Pauga [previously Austin's general manager, who now works for Timberwolves], coach Ken McDonald, and his coaching staff deserve so much credit for teaching Jon about the pro game and allowing him to grow and be comfortable in the Spurs system," Brosky said via email. "The San Antonio Spurs organization excels on so many levels and Simmons is more proof.

"Jon's a better ball handler and his overall basketball IQ has improved. He's not just an athlete who needs to get to the rim on transition. His passing skills within the Spurs offense has greatly developed."

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And now, Simmons's offensive athleticism is also starting to translate to his much-improved defensive game. He was a solid defender in the D-League but there's now an extra level of refinement thanks to his development with San Antonio. You need look no further than San Antonio's second-round series against the Rockets, when Simmons mucked up the offensive play of none other than MVP-candidate James Harden in Games 5 and 6.

Simmons took San Antonio's defensive philosophy—don't foul, move your feet with hands up—to heart and it made a difference on Harden. In Game 5, Harden couldn't shake his frustration in overtime after failing to make his usual impact. And then in Game 6, with Simmons as his primary defender, Harden had one of the worst games of his career, telling reporters afterwards that he couldn't get into any rhythm. Both of these games ended in Spurs victories. You can't undervalue Simmons's impact on Harden as a major factor in the Spurs berth in the Western Conference Finals.

"Jon fights so hard and is smart about his defensive assignments on defense," Brosky said. "A huge asset is his ability and willingness to cover ground on defensive rotations. He's also committed, like most of the Spurs, to a challenge every shot."

The Spurs will need Simmons to bring it on the defensive end against the Warriors. Slowing down Golden State's high powered offense is virtually impossible, but San Antonio ended the season with the best ranked defense. Simmons's role in this series will be to, at the very least, try to slow the Warriors down.

"Against Houston, Simmons showed that he can guard multiple perimeter spots, this will be needed against the Warriors," Brosky said. "Golden State's offense moves quickly and spaced out, Jon's athleticism and anticipation will help on the ball and with rotate and recover."

To beat Golden State, the Spurs will also need Simmons to show up on the offensive end. The Spurs can't just rely on a recently-recovered Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge; they will need others to step up. Against Houston, Simmons showed he's up to the task by scoring in double-digits in the last three games of the series.

Simmons likely won't be a main player against the Warriors, but he could be an x-factor. The type of player that can swing the series in San Antonio's favor through under-the-radar plays and energy. It's going to take an all-hands-on-deck effort for the Spurs to beat the Warriors, and Simmons will certainly have to show up.

Though it may seem like an unfathomable feat, Simmons, given his history of stepping up hard, may be the ideal player to help boost San Antonio's slim chances against Golden State.