Sixers: 3 takeaways from opening night without Ben Simmons

Takeaways from Sixers win over Pelicans: Perimeter defense looks bad

Those who have voiced concerns about the Sixers’ perimeter defense without Ben Simmons have often been rebuked and confronted with praise of Matisse Thybulle. Rightfully so, as Thybulle is a generational defensive talent who covers a lot of ground. The only problem is, Thybulle isn’t that guy. Ben Simmons is that guy.

Thybulle played 27 minutes for the Sixers on Wednesday night and accumulated four steals, giving the kind of all-around effort we’ve come to expect on that side of the ball. He gave Brandon Ingram hell, was ever-present in passing lanes, and looked the part of a perennial All-Defense candidate. All that, and the Sixers’ perimeter defense sucked.

Of course, Philadelphia has had its share of defensive issues in the past, even with Simmons. Quick-twitch guards have long posed a problem in the Embiid era, for reasons the Sixers can never quite figure out. That said, Simmons’ absence was extremely noticeable on defense in this game. His on-ball pressure and versatility at 6-foot-10 is an invaluable tool when paired next to Embiid in the middle. Remove him from the equation, and Embiid can only clean up so many messes around the paint.

The Sixers just don’t have good on-ball defenders on the roster once you move past Simmons and Thybulle. Danny Green took a step back last season and could take another step back this season — he’s 34 years old. There has been optimism around Isaiah Joe’s defensive evolution, but he’s a second-year wing who weighs 170 pounds soaking wet. Philadelphia has the personnel to survive Simmons’ absence with a passable defense, but don’t expect another second-ranked defense if Simmons begins to rack up DNPs.