The Sixer Sense
Fansided

All-Star who?

By Rory Fette

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on after Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoff against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Heat 130-103. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on after Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoff against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Heat 130-103. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The matchup of play callers went just as expected in the Philadelphia 76ers’ first game against Miami … or did it?

Imagine yourself as an alien, just landing on earth. You look and see that Goran Dragic is sqauring off against Ben Simmons in a game of basketball. Not knowing anything about either of these players you decide to look them both up.

On paper this match up is clear to cause problems. On one side you have a savy, ALL-STAR NBA point guard. This guard has multitudes of playoff experience and leadership experience with his current team. And on the other side of things you have an inexperienced rookie point guard. This guard has no NCAA tournament experience, no European post season experience, and no NBA playoff experience to his name.

As far as you know, things are not looking good for this guy named Ben Simmons.

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Luckily this is just your imagination, and you do know who Ben Simmons and Goran Dragic are. So the Philadelphia 76ers‘ dominant victory last night with Simmons at the helm was no surprise to you.

Simmons shines

After a bit of crazy first few minutes for Simmons, “a basketball game broke out,” just like Eric Spoelstra predicted. Unfortunately for the Heat, though, Ben Simmons is very good at playing in basketball games. In his first playoff game ever, the rookie put on an absolute show, schooling Goran Dragic in the process.

Forget about his 17 points and 14 assists. Forget about his flashy passes and highlight dunks. Ben Simmons simply looked like he belonged in this game, and that is what is so amazing. Rookies don’t usually do what Simmons just did. And if you don’t want to call him a rookie, 21 year olds don’t usually do what Simmons just did. Hell, NBA stars like Kyle Lowry and Damian Lillard don’t usually do what Simmons just did.

He dominated, and he did so calmly and seemingly without any real playoff jitters. If it weren’t for the insanely loud crowd, I would’ve thought it was just another regular season game for Simmons.

Related Story: How did Game 1 turn into a blowout?

What to expect going forward

Now I know this was just one game, and in reality it could be a flash in the pan. But after watching that one game, it is hard not to behind-the-back dribble, euro-step and jump to conclusions. Think about this, really, to Simmons’ standards, he didn’t even have an amazing game.

He only shot 38 percent from the field, which is well below his season average. Secondly, he got into some foul trouble causing him to sit at times and not rack up more stats. And lastly, he had five pretty uncharacteristic turnovers.

Despite all of this, Simmons was the best player on the court in Game One. He didn’t even have to play the best, to be the best. The Heat threw everyone they could at him at him and it didn’t matter, he exploited all of them.

Next: Why Brett Brown is Coach of the Year

So, going forward nothing makes me think that he can’t repeat a performance like this. In fact, don’t be shocked if he does even better.