Philadelphia 76ers: Four players crack Bleacher Report’s top 100
15. Ben Simmons
This is good. Really good. It’s clear Bleacher Report has the proper respect for Ben Simmons, a generational talent who, despite a well-documented hole in his repertoire, is among the most dominant entities in the sport. Simmons is a top-15 player. I buy it.
At 6-foot-10, Simmons has transformed himself from a defensive liability in college to a viable Defensive Player of the Year candidate this season. He can aptly defend all five positions, with versatility virtually unmatched elsewhere in the league. He can lock down twitchy guards at the point of attack, or he can stonewall centers at the rim. Few players can touch Simmons on defense.
More from Sixers News
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Breaking Down Bombshell Report on Sixers Star James Harden
On the other end, Simmons is one of the best 3-point manufacturers in basketball. And the Sixers are notoriously slight in the shooters department. He pressures the rim despite posing zero threat away from it, and he’s one of the most dynamic transition threats in the league. He blends the strength of LeBron James, the speed of vintage John Wall, and the Magic Johnson-ian flashes that landed him the No. 1 pick. He’s flawed — duh — but amidst his flaws is a truly elite player.
"“Simmons has the speed and size (6’10”) to thrive amid his own shortcomings. He’s still in the 93rd percentile of finishing around the rim, and defenses remain inclined to collapse around him when he’s going downhill. It is within this chaos that Simmons’ passing IQ shines. He is a drive-and-kick whiz and has the floor awareness to hit trailing shooters and sling dimes to the corners. No one has assisted on more three-pointers than him, according to PBP Stats.”"
The Sixers need an aggressive and forceful Simmons when the season re-starts. The Sixers are one of the biggest beneficiaries of the hiatus precisely because it gave Simmons time to heal and regenerate. He has added even more muscle, and he is reportedly 100 percent healthy.
Beware, NBA. Beware.