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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Tomas Satoransky #31 of the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 26, 2016 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 26: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Tomas Satoransky #31 of the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 26, 2016 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER:
His first was the best.
Jonathon Simmons, the NBA’s new Lord of the Chase-Down, was still just a faceless Spurs reserve to a good portion of the basketball world when he victimized Warriors two-time MVP Stephen Curry on national television.
Curry had leaked out and was all alone, just beyond the free throw line when he caught up Betticket to Andre Iguodala’s outlet pass.
Cue the “Jaws” theme.
Curry floated up a too-casual lay-up and Simmons soared to crush it off the glass. It bounced into Kawhi Leonard’s palm, and the Spurs cruised to a shocking 129-100 win.
Simmons’ season-opening chase-down block has spawned enough sequels to rival the “Fast and Furious” franchise, emphasis on furious.
Just over a month later, the second-year guard struck again.
Simmons sent Marcus Thornton’s finger roll skyward before it fell softly into Danny Green’s hands.
Thornton’s teammates did not seem to play with what Gregg Popovich would call “appropriate fear” the next time around. Simmons added Trey Burke to his list six days later.
Twenty days after that Simmons punched Jamal Crawford’s “open” fast-break attempt off the backboard.
His latest installment came Tuesday night.
Thunder rookie Semaj Christon stripped the ball from Simmons and took off. The victim pursued the rookie at a safe distance, taking calculated strides like a triple-jumper.
Christon beelined straight down the paint and took off. Simmons launched a tick later and slapped the ball just before it floated above the cylinder.
“We kind of missed that from him,” guard Danny Green said. “Those kind of energy plays turn the game around.”
Simmons’ chase-downs have become a source of fascination around the league.
It’s about more than just jumping high – it’s about jumping with purpose.
Simmons stalks his prey and calculates just when and where he needs to leap to reach the ball. Go too soon and it’s a foul, too late and it’s a bucket.
For the chase-down artist, it’s all about finding the “Goldilocks Zone.”
Simmons has become so good at doing just that that his teammates can easily identify when the next highlight-reel block will occur.
“You can see it coming from a mile away,” Green said.
His victims surely wish they could have, too.
nmoyle@express-news.net
Twitter: @NRmoyle
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