There are plenty of ways to measure how good a team can be in the long run in the NBA. You can measure how they continue to grow and develop, you can measure how they play on the offensive end, or how they measure up in big, clutch moments.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, they want to test themselves against the best competition. That’s exactly what they will get on Christmas Day when they host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the team with the best record in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Sixers are coming off a fairly easy 125-109 win over the Detroit Pistons where they tightened up some screws and figured out how to fully beat a zone. Ben Simmons had a big night of 16 points, 17 assists, and 13 rebounds as he moved up in the triple-double record books in the NBA. Simmons has been compared to a player like Antetokounmpo in the past so this is a new test for him as a player.
“Since we haven’t played them yet, it will be a good test for us,” said the All-Star point guard. “So, we are looking forward to the game on Christmas Day, it’s going to be exciting.”
A lot of people have criticized Simmons, such as the notorious Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman of ESPN, for his lack of development on a jump shot. Especially considering Antetokounmpo continuing to add that jump shot to his game and continuing to grow as a player. This is a chance for Simmons and the Sixers to show off something and really make a statement in a primetime Christmas game.
Tipoff with the Bucks is set for 2:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday. [lawrence-related id=22051,22040,22026]