Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons continues to make strides on the offensive end of the floor as assistant Sam Cassell has done a great job with him on that end. However, on the other end, Simmons is one of the elite defenders in the league.
He did a terrific job against Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, leading a team effort that held him to 12-for-34 shooting. Sure, Mitchell scored 33 points, but he struggled shooting the ball.
When defended by Simmons, he shot 5-for-15 and he was 2-for-8 from deep. The way Simmons stayed in front of him and harassed him into tough shots all night was impressive and it furthered his case to win Defensive Player of the Year at the end of the season.
“I’m just gonna keep saying it, Ben, if he doesn’t win, and I don’t ever campaign,” said coach Doc Rivers after the win. “This may be my last campaign speech, other than for president, he guards the best every night. I mean, Donovan Mitchell, if you just look at the 33 points he was 12-for-34. No one does that to him, and Ben does it and he does it every night to everyone, so he’s been amazing. He needs more credit.”
Wednesday’s matchup between the Sixers and the Jazz featured three of the better defenders in the league: Simmons, Joel Embiid and Jazz big man Rudy Gobert. All three players will be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year at the end of the season, but Rivers is campaigning for Simmons.
When Donovan Mitchell was defended by Ben Simmons, he shot 5/15 from the floor and 2/8 from deep #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) March 4, 2021
“I think Ben for sure is in that mix, and Joel’s had a terrific defensive year as well. I think Ben is absolutely, I don’t think it’s a question he was in it,” said Rivers. “As far as Ben and, also, Rudy those two are probably one, two, and I would obviously, I’m biased, but I’d put Ben one.”
Rivers has a reason for that. Simmons will not only defend just one position, such as center for example. He will defend any position on the floor, and he regularly takes on the opposition’s best scorer such as Mitchell.
“I think because Ben plays everyone,” the coach explained. “Ben doesn’t just play 5s. Ben plays 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. He’s played every position on the floor. When he’s played those positions, he’s been able to come up with stops. There’s very few players in NBA who can do the things that Ben does defensively.”
Philadelphia opens the second half of the schedule on March 11 against the Chicago Bulls on the road, and Simmons will have to take on the challenge of Zach LaVine. He will have to continue to defend on an elite level the rest of the season for Philadelphia to have the playoff run it desires.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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