The Sixer Sense
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Put Ben Simmons on Al Horford – IMMEDIATELY

By CHRISTIAN KLEMASH

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2018 at TD Garden on April 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Al Horford; Ben Simmons
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 30: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2018 at TD Garden on April 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Al Horford; Ben Simmons /
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A simple defensive adjustment can lift the Philadelphia 76ers to victory in Game 2.

Al Horford is Boston’s best player, right now.  You can argue that with me, but the offense runs through him.  In my playing days, if you were the best player on your team, you wanted to D up the best player on the other team.  I think Ben Simmons should take on the challenge, and I think he’s up to the challenge.

He’s big enough, strong enough, fast enough and young enough to stay with Horford  – all game long.  He can disrupt Boston’s entire offense by denying Horford the ball, and not allowing the Celtics to set up their offense.

Horford was great in Game 1.  He likes to receive the ball at the top of the key and facilitate the offense from there.  Don’t allow that.

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Horford is 6-10, 250 lbs.  Simmons is 6-10, 230 lbs.  Both have wingspans of 7-feet.  Horford is 31 years old.  Simmons is 21 years old.  If this were a boxing match, the young guy would be favored.

It’s not that complicated.  Bill Belichick has made a career (and won seven rings) out of a simple strategy: take away the opponents’ best player.  It makes the opposition uncomfortable.  And in Game 1, at home in the Garden, the Celtics were as comfy as can be.  The Philadelphia 76ers need to change that dramatically in Game 2.  And Ben Simmons is the man to do it.  With his defense this time.

In basketball parlance, think Dennis Rodman.  Annoy him, bother him, frustrate him.  Karl Malone was the bigger, stronger player, but Rodman got under his skin.  He was active, over-active, and he irritated Malone — all game long.  Simmons can do the same to Horford.

Defense is about effort and desire.  But it’s also about strategy.  Simmons has the effort and desire.  But he shouldn’t be chasing the little guards around.  Stop the Celtics at their core.  And their core is Horford.  Let the Sixers’ smaller guards chase the Celtics smaller guards.

And let the Sixers’ best player shut down the Celtics’ best player.

Seven-game series are about adjustments.  And this one can make a huge impact.  Hear me, Brett Brown?

Next: 3 adjustments worth making in Game 2

That’s how I see it.  Agree?  Disagree?  Let me know in the comments section!