Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson (25) drives to the net against Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (19) in the fourth quarter of their game at Thomas & Mack Center. Candice Ward Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Liam McNeeley’s eyes widened, preceding a devilish smirk.
The Charlotte Hornets rookie forward had just played alongside KJ Simpson for the first time in a competitive game and left little doubt about his impressions of the second-year point guard.
“KJ is nice,” McNeeley said. “That’s a good basketball player. I don’t think we all got to see it last year. He knows how to put the ball in the basket.”
Simpson is immersed in a relatively important spot, serving as the main floor general for the Hornets’ summer league team, which picked up its second victory in as many days with a 96-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday night.
He’s fully aware of the situation he’s in, starring on the outside of a crowded guard rotation. So, he’s all about improving over the coming days and weeks, intent on tapping into the court time and mastering other things he figured out during a roller-coaster initial campaign with the Hornets.
“Playing the games that I did during the regular season will help out a lot,” Simpson said. “Last year I didn’t get to play summer league because I was hurt, so now I’m just looking forward to making the most of this opportunity, and honestly proving to people why I got drafted. Rookie year is rookie year, but at the end of the day I know I belong and I’m just going out there and showing what I can do.”
And he is doing it while staying within the team concept, which is no easy feat.
“I’m not going to go over the top,” Simpson said. “I know what I need to do. I understand from the year of experience, I had the role I need to be in for the Hornets. I’m just trying to go show how I can add value to the team, so it’s just going out there and making the most of this summer league. Just excited to finally play.”
During his rookie campaign, Simpson’s playing time was somewhat sporadic, seeing action in 36 games and recording 15 starts. He averaged 7.8 points, three rebounds and 3.1 assists in 23.4 minutes per game and things didn’t exactly end in the most positive fashion, with some probably remembering Simpson being ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Jaylen Wells in the Hornets’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in April.
Through the Hornets’ initial outings of summer league action, Simpson is more than holding his own. Although statistics don’t always tell the appropriate story, he’s averaging 20 points per game, buoyed by a 19-point, four-assist effort against the 76ers.
“Yeah, man, just going out there and understanding what value I bring to the team,” Simpson said. “Obviously summer league is going to be a big opportunity and I’ve been in the gym. It’s just going, and showing I’ve been in the gym and I’m someone who can help the team. I ain’t gone nowhere. After the season was over, I went back home for a little.
“But other than that I’ve been in Charlotte the whole time, been working out with all the other guys, just been in the gym just working, getting better at everything I know I need to get better at and that we’ve talked about getting better at, to go and prove all these people and all these opinions wrong that I do belong.”
It won’t happen if Simpson doesn’t fully display the things he’s put countless hours into to augment his repertoire, though. He has to dent a crowded guard rotation featuring newcomers Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton and Spencer Dinwiddie along with holdovers Tre Mann and Nick Smith Jr.
In order to blossom as a player, Simpson has to mark off a couple of tasks on his checklist.
“Definitely shooting,” Simpson said. “I know I’m a way better shooter and way better efficient scorer than I was during the season. Just being more efficient, taking better shots and better decision making, that can always improve. I’m big on always improving in everything, but it’s definitely those things and especially defense. Being an absolute pest.”
That’s why Simpson has studied footage of Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell. There’s a part of him that wants to morph into a 2.0 version of the 10-year veteran who’s played for two teams in his career.
He watched some of McConnell’s play in the Finals in an attempt to replicate him.
“Just coming in and having that mindset of coming in and messing the game up for the other team,” Simpson said, “picking up 94 feet which you’ll see in summer league and just being an absolute menace.”
Unsung hero has a pretty good ring to it in Simpson’s mind.
“That’s been me my whole life — I’ve been an all-around player,” Simpson said. “I contribute, I fill the stat sheet. Everyone likes to knock my size. I can go out there and rebound with the best of them, I can go out and jump with the best of them .
“I can go out there and guard with the best of them and T.J. is a good example that he just goes out there heart over height and I just want to go out there and prove I can do the same thing at that same level. And I know I can for sure. I’ve just got to have that mentality and I definitely have that this summer.”