The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons holds key to 76ers NBA Playoffs

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 2: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with the media after the game against the Miami Heat on February 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 2: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with the media after the game against the Miami Heat on February 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 03: Ben Simmons
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 03: Ben Simmons

Playoff push

But he can do better. For the Philadelphia 76ers to make the playoffs, he must. The Philadelphia 76ers have two versions of the team: with Joel Embiid, and without Joel Embiid. Philadelphia 76ers fans know this. So you can bet that the NBA teams know this as well.  Every NBA playoff series is a higher level of basketball. As two teams face the same opponent for a best of seven series, overall scheme is thrown out the window as teams play to neutralize their opponent’s best player(s).

In order on the Philadelphia 76ers, that ranking would be: Joel Embiid, J.J. Redick, and finally Ben Simmons.  And that is where Ben Simmons must make the opponent pay as he faces the NBA’s best:

Putting up good numbers.

More Ben

Not simply on his own, but in facilitating his teammates into clean looks.Still, the path to do that means that Simmons will need to take over games in the fourth quarter.  Recently, the team has begun to do that.  The latest win before the All-Star break found the Philadelphia 76ers far behind on the scoreboard and without team leader Joel Embiid. At halftime, the score read 62-39.

The outlook was bleak. But the team fought back. Or as Simmons said it himself in a post-game interview:

"“It just shows what kind of team we are,” said Simmons, who finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. “Fighting back, staying with it. Knowing he’s (Joel Embiid) out, I had to be more aggressive and get my teammates involved. Everybody played well.””"

A comeback win. A great win. And a solid showing for Simmons