Geographically, Brooklyn and Philadelphia aren’t that far from one another. About 100 miles and 110 minutes on the I-95 separate the two cities, so perhaps it was fitting that Philadelphia ended up being so close to Brooklyn in the chase for James Harden.
In the end, Harden landed in Brooklyn while the Sixers — the Eastern Conference’s top team before a recent three-game skid — came close oh-so-close, but ended up oh-so-far.
With some reports suggesting that the Sixers were and weren’t willing to deal Ben Simmons to Houston in exchange for Harden, Simmon’s future and potential to become an MVP — something that Harden is — has been discussed at length recently.
Perhaps that’s what Doc Rivers brings to the Sixers, a coach who has earned a reputation for an ability to connect with players and bring out their best. Aside from the championship pedigree, Rivers has lived the life of an NBA player and can relate. Perhaps Simmons will be next.
If nothing else, Simmons seems to appreciate the relationship that the two have already developed.
“Doc keeps it real with me,” Simmons said after the Sixers earned a 125-108 victory over the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat on Thursday night.
“He keeps it straight. He wants to see me get better, improve, and stay in the gym, continue to work. The relationship is growing with that. I think, so far, I’ve learned a lot.”
It was on full display against the Heat.
In his first game since Harden was dealt — and his first game since he was reportedly shopped by the Sixers to Houston — Simmons turned in a triple-double, recording 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in about 35 minutes of action.
If there were any hard feelings between him and the organization, it was hard to tell. That may be due to Rivers’ influence.
“I think that goes down to even just professionalism,” Simmons said of what he’s already learned from Rivers. “How I carry myself, the way I play, come out with energy, how that is gonna affect others on the floor. If I come out, especially on the defensive end, playing great defense, I feel like my teammates are gonna keep that same energy. It’s gonna get us wins.”
It did on Thursday night. And if the Sixers continue winning and looking dominant in the process, the questions about James Harden and the “what if?” questions will quickly cease.
They’ll be replaced by questions asking just how good Ben Simmons can actually be.