Alec Burks has not been with the Philadelphia 76ers for too long, but he has been here long enough to realize that Ben Simmons is one of the elite defenders in the league.
Burks had been with the Golden State Warriors this season and was teammates with one of the game’s best in Stephen Curry, but now he’s teammates with Ben Simmons and he realizes that there is nobody like the 6-foot-10 point guard.
“I think he’s one of one,” Burks explained. “He’s his own man. I don’t think he reminds me of anybody else. He’s 6-foot-10, he’s athletic, ambidextrous, and he can post up.”
What really captured Burks’ eye was Simmons’ ability to defend. He has been one of the top defenders statistically this season and that has been impressive to the veteran out of Colorado.
“He’s a great defender too, which I didn’t know until I got here,” Burks added. “He can really guard. I don’t think a lot of people understand that.”
Playing with Curry with the Warriors, Burks understood that he is one of–if not the best–shooter the game has ever seen. There is not a lot that Curry can’t do as he has limitless range on his jump shot and he makes plenty of shots that look like they should not go in.
Simmons is the complete opposite, but that is what makes him so special, especially at his size. He may not shoot like Curry, but he can do so many other things well.
“Ben is such a force coming down the lane and I think everybody has to take notice of that,” Burks said. “I think I played 1-on-1 with him before he hurt his back…I want to see what really happens out there with Ben because he’s a great passer, he gets his teammates involved, and I feel like I can play off him.”
Burks will get his next opportunity to play with Simmons in the team’s scrimmage opener against the Memphis Grizzlies in Orlando on July 24. The final eight regular-season games begin on August 1 against the Indiana Pacers. [lawrence-related id=34159,34149,34140]