Ben Simmons and Australian footballer Christian Petracca
Ben Simmons’ first year in the NBA more than lived up to the hype. The Melbourne-born baller messed around and dropped 12 triple doubles in his rookie year, lead the 76ers to the second round of the playoffs, and picked up a well-deserved Rookie Of The Year award.
With the 17-18 season done and the next NBA season still two months from tip-off, Ben was back in town with a rapid-fire schedule of appearances and media appointments.
Among a fashion shoot for GQ and a prime time interview for The Project, Ben stopped off at Box Hill Senior Secondary college in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The school, which Ben attended, boasts one of the country’s best basketball programs. Complex and Beats By Dr. Dre linked Ben with Melbourne Demons midfielder –and former Australian basketball prospect– Christian Petracca to talk about their careers, their long-standing friendship and handling the pressure of performing at the highest level.
The interview was conducted in front of students from the school's basketball program.
Ben, it was only a year ago that you and I were talking in that little gym there, same time this year you're back, with Beats. Can you tell us what you've been doing in Australia?
Ben Simmons: I had a busy day yesterday; I had the 2K launch, a photo shoot for GQ, and now I'm in Melbourne.
And coming up on Sunday you've got your Ben Simmons Basketball Camp.
BS: Oh yea, my camp is coming up. This is the second year I'm doing that. That'll be a lot of fun.
You're keeping an eye on the talent in the country and assisting in developing the basketball talent, which is tremendous. I think a question that everyone would like to ask is, are we going to win a medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo?
BS: That's my goal, but I'm going for gold. If I eventually play – which I will – at the Olympics, that's my what I'm playing for. I'm not gonna go for anything less than gold.
What if Christian plays?
BS: He needs to, we need you to come back
Christian Petracca: Nah I'm too small
[the crowd cheers]
There's definitely some support for Christian to make a comeback at the Olympics in 2020.
CP: Nah my jump shot is terrible!
BS: Just lay it up.
I saw the jump shot earlier, it was butter. And the handles were smooth. So let's just move on and talk about why we have Ben & Christian together on stage. You guys have known each other for a while, but when did you actually meet?
CP: We met playing under-12s state basketball. Around grade six. From there, we played footy together at Beverly Hills, which is just down the road in East Doncaster. We played a couple years there, and then made a lot of the rep teams together,
BS: Whitefriars [Melbourne high school]
CP: And Whitefriars as well, we were in school from year 7 to year 9 and then Ben went here [Box Hill Senior Secondary]. We had a lot of sport together.
So Ben, what sort of a basketball player was Christian?
BS: He was a Westbrook without the dunks. Honestly. He was a quick point guard, he could find guys and get to the rim.
But did he pass?
BS: Oh yea, he made the right play, of course. All the time.
Westbrook without the dunks, and with passing. And Christian, what kind of a football player was Ben?
CP: He was an aggressive player, he loved tackling. He was a very good tap ruckman, still to this day –sorry Max Gawn– probably one of the best tap ruckmen I've had. He used to tell you where he'd hit [the ball] and it'd just be there. I reckon he'd be playing AFL if he wasn't playing basketball.
So he's a loss to the AFL?
CP: Yea but, I think he's doing well in the NBA [laughs].
And still talking about footy. Ben is an Essendon Bombers fan, and–
BS: I'm a Melbourne fan now
Oh right, of course. And a Demons fan. And Christian for some reason you're a Thunder fan?
BS: I know right. How messed up is that, that I go for Melbourne now but you still go for OKC?
CP: I'm Philly now! Although the one [76ers] game I did go to, Eric Gordon hit a buzzer beater in the corner so I probably shouldn't come to a game ever again
BS: Yea, probably not
But when you were young, who was your AFL team?
CP: Collingwood.
Oh wow, that's awful. You don't pick teams very well.
CP: It was my Dad’s team
Right. And Ben, who was your NBA team growing up?
BS: I didn't really have one. I just had favourite players. I didn't really have a favourite team.
Yea, I don't really buy that.
BS: I promise, I promise. I mean, Miami Heat when Dwayne Wade was really leading the team, that was my go-to team.
So when you say you followed the players, D-Wade obviously, but who else?
BS: D-Wade, LeBron, I liked to watch a lot of film of Magic. Chris Paul, guys like that
The floor generals
BS: Exactly
We've talked about basketball and footy, but let’s talk about music. With professional sports, you guys have people who look after your nutrition and your conditioning and that kind of thing, but music is just another important part of your preparation.
CP: Yea it's important. Everybody likes to prepare differently. I like to use music before a game. It puts me in a good space to get me prepared for the game.
BS: I'm the same way. As soon as I head to a game, I put the music on. Walk in the arena, usually have my Beats pill or headphones, and get ready for the game.
And what's the music you're listening to on that walk into the arena?
BS: For me it changes if somebody's dropped something. So right now I'm listening to 'ASTROWORLD', a lot of Gunna and Lil Baby.
CP: Yea similar, 'ASTROWORLD', Lil Skies as well.
These guys are very contemporary. Sometimes you talk to an Australian athlete and it's like 'oh you know, Barnesy's good'. So that's before the game but what about in your down time?
BS: Biggie Smalls. Tupac. Luther Vandross, chill music.
That really speaks to me man. Biggie & Pac and Luther Vandross. What about you Christian?
BS: Don't mess it up...
CP: Ahh, I'm a bit different. I like my techno music, house. I got decks at home so I play on the decks a bit.
What else are you doing in your spare time?
CP: Well it's tough, it's a full time job. It's hard to find a balance, and hanging out with your friends and family is the most important thing. I'm studying at the moment, I'm doing marketing/commerce at Swinburne Uni, just something to keep my mind on, get a good balance. It's pretty stressful, footy, and mentally it can be quite tough so having something outside of footy is really critical for me.
BS: I'm playing video games or sleeping. It's a long season for me, 82 games. Back to backs; you might travel on a 10-day road trip or whatever it is and go play Lakers, Clippers and then have Golden State. So for me, whenever I have down time I'm usually just relaxing.
You're into gaming? I know PUBG is one of the games you play
BS: Oh for sure. Call Of Duty, and 2K. FIFA.
And you’re on the cover of NBA 2K this year.
BS: Oh yea. It's surreal. I think once the game drops and I'm able to get my hands on a copy I think that's when it'll really hit me.
I think I would probably shed a tear. But that's just me.
I also shed a tear – it was a very emotional moment for me – when I saw Ben walking into the arena with the boxing kangaroo chain. The patriotism in me just swole up and I couldn't help myself
BS: [laughs] yea that was definitely a wild one.
Have you worn it a lot? I've only seen it that one time
BS: Well, it's heavy. [laughs]. I try not to wear it as much, but if I have something important, I'll wear it.
It's such an important thing for an NBA player now, getting a fit off before a nationally televised game. Not so much with AFL players though. Christian, do you think it will ever be something that catches on in the AFL? The pre-game outfits, being filmed coming off the bus.
CP: I don't think so. [laughs]. I think it's just the Australian culture. I mean we're sponsored, the club get sponsorship as well. I don't think it's the same in the NBA. We have to rep our sponsorship in the AFL.
So you couldn't get a turtleneck fit off like Ben has today?
CP: Nah [laughs]
One thing that is really interesting about these guys is the similarity we see in their careers. Both obviously starting with basketball and footy, then being the top draft pick or the number two draft pick, unfortunately missing a season due to injury, but then coming out and having a great rookie year the following year.
How did you guys deal with the pressure of being the top pick or the number two pick?
CP: It's an awesome feeling. You've just gotta embrace the moment and be really humble and grateful. Then going down with an injury, it's quite tough; you're in rehab, watching a team play and feel like you could have an impact, it's quite a tough experience. But it goes quick.
You really can't show any negativity, you've gotta be really positive around the group. The first game I played, it was such an amazing feeling. We lost but just to be out there, having fun and doing what I did as a kid, it really turned a dream into reality. It was really cool.
And Ben, there's not only the pressure of being the top pick but there's also the pressure that comes from the fans. We spoke about this last year; the Philly fans want success right away. How have you handled that? Because you seem to be totally relaxed all the time.
BS: For me, there's only one thing you can do; play as hard as you can, and do what you need to do on the floor. And that's play your game.
I imagine this is quite a special relationship, because the two of you have had such similar experiences. Time zones probably get in the way but do you speak or text regularly?
[both laugh]
CP: Yea we text a fair bit
BS: I just think it's funny cos he'll ask me about random stuff out of nowhere
CP: Yea, well when you're dating Kendall Jenner of course I wanna know what's happening.
[At this point, the crowd of high school kids roars, and both Ben and Christian are like two high school kids trying to stifle their laughter]
CP: Next question, next question
You guys have known eachother for a long time, but is your relationship stronger now even though you're further apart? Because of the things you've gone through?
BS: We know we both have things going on, and our main focus is obviously playing our sport, which is our job. But we like to stay in contact and talk about things going on in our lives, no matter what the situation is. It's cool to have that similarity. I know I'm doing my job, he's doing his job, and then away from that we can just talk about random things that have nothing to do with what we're doing.
What is one piece of advice that you would offer to young people, such as those in the room, about pursuing a career in sports?
CP: Have fun, don't take it too serious, just enjoy yourself. The reason I play footy or sport in general is because I love it, I'm having fun. The moment you take it too serious, that's when the stress starts to build up on you. The moment I retire is the moment I don't love it anymore
What about when you're feeling that pressure though?
CP: That's the best thing about footy; there's 43 other guys on the list so you can always turn to them and ask for advice. I've got a great family and friends who I can always talk to. I've got two older brothers who are quite harsh critics but they're very good at the same time. It's just easy to talk to them as well about everything
BS: Do what you love, make sure you go the right way about it. Take care of your business. But you have to enjoy it, that's the one thing. Every time I step on the floor it's not even a job, it's just fun. Do what you love and try to perfect that, and enjoy doing it.
What is the biggest mistake you feel that rising athletes often fall into?
BS: I think in the NBA, it would be taking it for granted and not pursuing it as seriously as most people do. Guys get there and they're comfortable. They're happy to be where they are, they're happy with the money they make and they're happy just to be in the league. There's differences between certain guys in the league, where they're just happy to play and then there's guys who wanna get better and continue to grow and get to the next level.