Sixers included in The Athletic’s top 125: Ben Simmons
RANKING: Tier 3C (31-36)
The Ben Simmons discourse is in a nasty place and there’s no real benefit to relitigating his playoffs performance. Simmons was bad in Game 7, and for several games leading up to Game 7, but that doesn’t erase his broader résumé as a player. He is still a perennial All-Star who, at 25, is primed to win multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards before the end of his career.
Simmons’ defensive versatility and the sheer extent of his contributions on that side of the ball are enough to justify a tier-3 ranking. The other players in his sub-tier — Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, Jaylen Brown, Draymond Green, Pascal Siakam — are suitable contemporaries. Surprisingly apt, in some cases.
For Simmons, there’s reason to doubt the “next step” is his development. It may just never come. He “is who he is,” to use his verbiage. And yet, that really isn’t a terrible thing. Simmons is a brilliant player on multiple fronts, and one who can raise the floor of a competitive team. He shouldn’t the the lead ball-handler on a contender, and you could argue he shouldn’t even be the second-best player, but he doubtlessly impacts winning.
Last season, in what many rightfully considered a down year, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists on 55.9 percent shooting. He finished second in DPOY voting, and made his third consecutive All-Star appearance. There’s a good chance we see Simmons in a new team context next season. That will give us a better sense of where his value truly lies.