The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons, from Down Under to On Top of the NBA World

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers skyscraper point guard, Ben Simmons, grew up Down Under. But in his rookie season, he is leading the Philadelphia 76ers into the NBA Playoffs and is on top of the NBA world

With the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Ben Simmons from Louisiana State University. From that moment, the Philadelphia 76ers turned the page to a new chapter. Well, a year later.  You see, Ben Simmons fractured his foot before the 2016-2017 NBA season.  That meant a team quite capable of squeaking into the playoffs a year ago failed to do so. In fact, with a number of the starters falling to injury, the team still managed to win 28 games. Not the 44 or so needed for post season, but far better than many expected.

The setback to Ben Simmons was also a setback to the team. After all, until the Simmons selection, the Philadelphia 76ers remained unsettled in the back court. Despite lots of time to draft, the team focused on front court prospects. Ben Simmons stands 6-foot-10, so many saw his role in the NBA as that of a power forward. But head coach Brett Brown knew Ben Simmons from infancy. So he knew there was a better role for Simmons in the NBA. Point guard. Tall ball point guard.

2017-2018 season new chapter

The first step to getting the Ben Simmons point guard meant placing Simmons in the role and see how well he did.  That means he was given the keys to drive the team in preseason.  That was an important step for the team.  After all, the point guard role is the most difficult position to play in the NBA.  So Brown placed Simmons into the role of point guard and observed how he ran the team, as well as how well he defended from that position. All seemed to be good to go until he fractured his foot and derailed the 2016-2017 season.

But the 2017-2018 season is a far different story.  While the NBA questioned his durability, he played and started 81 games. When the NBA questioned his ability to play point guard, he excelled, becoming one of the best NBA players in history to record triple-doubles.  Even as the NBA questioned his defense, he played incredible defense in just his rookie season. He has it all folks, and he’s giving it all in each game he plays. And in doing so, he stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight.