Waiting is the hardest thing for Simmons

Monday, Nov. 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

THE ATMOSPHERE was familiar. A big crowd, excited and all amped up. The band was playing, the bright lights were shining, illuminating the hardwood floor.

It was all there. But for Kevin Simmons, something was missing. Instead of wearing shorts and sneakers, he was decked out in a denim shirt and boots. Instead of running up and down the floor, he was anchored to a seat at the end of the bench.

They say there's a price to pay for everything and Simmons, a 6-foot-7 forward from Brooklyn, is currently paying his. Having transferred to UNLV from UC Irvine, Simmons cannot play this season. For the first time, he had to watch the others play while he sat.

He wasn't in his seat much Saturday because who could relax watching the Rebels struggle against Cal State Northridge? The Matadors made the Rebels sweat, and then some, before UNLV was able to eke out a 61-59 victory to open the 1996-97 season.

Could the Rebels have used Simmons? You bet. With the downtown perimeter game being stuck in traffic uptown, Simmons' long-range shooting would have been a big help. And with some imposter wearing Warren Rosegreen's No. 42, Simmons could have lent Tony Lane and Tyrone Nesby a hand on the boards.

"It was tough. Real tough," he said of having to watch his teammates go all out to beat Northridge, a team that finished 7-20 a year ago but will make big strides quickly under new coach Bobby Braswell because of its tenacity and hard work. "I wanted to get out there and help. But it's frustrating because you know there's nothing you can do."

He may not be able to help his teammates on game night. But he is allowed to practice, and by working hard, he helps push the others. He is also helping himself become a better player. Remember, this is the guy who was the Big West Conference's Freshman of the Year two years ago and was being touted as the man to lead Irvine out of its perennial doldrums.

But Simmons never adjusted to life in Southern California. It was too laid-back for a kid from Brooklyn and he was struggling on and off the court.

So when UCI assistant Greg Vetrone left Irvine to join Bill Bayno's staff, it was just a matter of time before Simmons joined him. "Shoes" and Simmons are like father and son and since Simmons arrived in Las Vegas last June, he admits his life has made a 180-degree turn.

"I've never been happier," he said. "I'm doing better in school. I'm a better player than I've ever been. I'm in the best shape of my life. The only disappointing thing is I can't play right away."

Vetrone said the reason Simmons is better is that he's growing up and that Simmons and Bayno have connected.

"His attitude, it's not even close," Shoes said. "He responds to Billy. I think he has a genuine trust in Billy."

Simmons knows that if he listens to Bayno and Shoes, he may fulfill the expectations of greatness everyone had when he was a prep star at Tilden High, and later, Redemption Christian Academy.

"I know what I've got to do," he said. "And I'm going to do it. I just wish I didn't have to wait."

STEVE CARP is a Las Vegas SUN sports writer.