Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons is one of the more talented players in the league regardless of positions. The guy is an elite defender, he can get to the basket, he does a great job of setting up his teammates, and he is also a terrific rebounder.
However, he does not get viewed as highly as other stars because he does not put up points. He’s averaging 12.9 points on the season and that gets criticized because, with his size and skill, he has the chance to score more.
However, teammate Tobias Harris doesn’t want to hear any of that.
“Criticism will come from anywhere,” Harris started. “I think that’s what’s bringing us as a unit closer because we understand everybody is criticized in some type of way in any facet, but when we come in that locker room, we look at each other like brothers, like teammates and we look at the next guy like ‘How can you help the team win and are you going to do that every single night for me and for everybody else?’”
Simmons constantly steps up when the time calls for it. He closed out a win over the Boston Celtics on Friday with his play in the fourth and then he stepped up and knocked down some big free throws late to close out the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
He doesn’t do it with scoring, but he does it with his defensive prowess and the fact that he can shut the door on any comeback from opponents. It just won’t happen on his watch.
“At the end of the day, they can criticize points or whatever,” Harris added. “We know what we expect of him night in and night out and that’s his energy, that’s for him to run the show as a point guard, push the pace, and defensively, to be who he is and that’s an All-Defensive player.”
Another big thing that matters is that the Sixers are winning. The team is at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 12-5 record and they are 9-0 when their projected starting lineup plays out on the floor. Simmons is a big reason for that with his play on both ends of the floor.
“The only true criticism we know as a team that truly matters is our record and how we play night in and night out,” Harris finished. “That’s what we focus on.”
The Sixers will take on the Pistons again on Monday to finish up a two-game road series in Detroit.
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