Sixers lessons learned: The Fresh Prince reigns
Look, Ben Simmons is really good at basketball. In the spirit of Doc Rivers, it is my opinion that people should focus on the good, of which there is a lot, rather than get caught up in the bad, of which there is very little. More often than not, Simmons contributes to winning in a manner very few basketball players can. He is the soul of Philadelphia’s defense and the ignition that sparks Philadelphia’s offense.
In Game 1, Simmons posted 15 rebounds and 15 assists while playing essential defense on Bradley Beal. In Game 2, he filled a similarly important role on defense while turning up his aggression as a scorer, posting 22 points, nine boards, and eight dimes.
Simmons has the size and muscle to overwhelm Washington’s defense (as stated in the previous slide). It’s really not a competition. For the Sixers to get two strong performances out of Simmons in the postseason, however, is a forceful reminder that he can impact winning on the biggest stage. The Wizards are not a prime opponent by any stretch, but it’s clear the Sixers will need Simmons — and can rely on him.
When it comes to Simmons, there is very little reason for harsh criticism or overt panic after Games 1 and 2. He cannot and will not shoot, and that is never going to be ideal, but it’s such a small faction of his overall skill set. He can still generate open 3s for teammates at Luka Doncic levels, while his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy will be put to the test all postseason long.