5. Ben Simmons vs. an elite defense
Ben Simmons might be the best 22-and-under prospect in the NBA. He’s going to be really, really good, with or without a workable jump shot. Even with undeniable talent, though, questions about Simmons’ ability to produce against elite defenses remain.
The Celtics exploited Simmons’ inability to shoot in the 2018 playoffs, throwing several different defenders in his direction and sparking the worst game of Simmons’ young career. He dropped one point and five turnovers in the Sixers’ Game 2 loss.
When teams can match Simmons’ length, quickness and strength on a consistent basis, the former No. 1 pick has been prone to magnifying mistakes with bad habits. He can get indecisive, leading to turnovers, stalled possessions and ineffective stints on the court.
Opening night was a promising sign — Simmons was the only bright spot in the Sixers’ deflating defeat — but we’ve seen Ben struggle against Toronto and Milwaukee on other occasions. He needs to step up on the national stage, or criticism will naturally start to seep in.
The Celtics will use several defenders on Simmons. Marcus Morris, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward could all spend time on the reigning Rookie of the Year. That’s a long list.