Tag: Ben Simmons

Multiple Sixers react to loss to Heat, suggest inconsistency in effort

Multiple players on the Philadelphia 76ers suggest that the team does not play hard enough consistently in order to win.

Once again, the Philadelphia 76ers let a game slip away on Saturday night as they fell to the Miami Heat in overtime 117-116. They made a lot of mistakes late and it cost them another winnable game.

The Sixers had stretches where they played well and then there were other stretches that allowed the Heat to really play their style and get what they wanted offensively. That inconsistency killed them down the stretch as they let another one slip away.

“We were right there,” said Ben Simmons. “It starts in the first quarter. We’ve got to carry the same energy all the way through. We can’t wait for the last minute to pick it up.”

Philadelphia led by five after the first quarter and then maintained that five-point lead heading into halftime, but then they were outscored by 11 in the third quarter, then had a chance to win the game late, and then made some mistakes down the stretch that blew it.

“There were some plays throughout the game that I wish we had back,” said Josh Richardson. “It was a tough game versus a good team and they just came out on top.”

However, this is a team that has a lot of high expectations. This is a team that should be playing with a high level of intensity each and every time out there. Like on Christmas Day when they beat a very good Milwaukee Bucks team only to follow that up with a lackluster loss to the Orlando Magic and then Saturday’s loss to the Heat.

“If we want to be a championship team, we can’t be picky and choosy when we want to play with that kind of intensity,” Trey Burke added. “I’m sure these last few losses sting, but we’ll watch film and grow from it.”

The Sixers next chance to grow as a team will be on New Year’s Eve when they face the Indiana Pacers on the road. [lawrence-related id=22387,22381,22372]

Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson react to put back that forced overtime

The Philadelphia 76ers duo of Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson react to the play that forced overtime.

The Philadelphia 76ers were in dire circumstances. They were down by two and they had a chance to force overtime with Josh Richardson at the line. However, when Richardson missed the first foul shot, that’s when plans had to change.

Richardson intentionally missed the second shot to the right and Ben Simmons came flying in for the putback and to tie the game and force the extra session. There was initial confusion as some believed that Richardson’s shot did not hit the rim, but after review, it was determined that it did hit the rim and the Sixers lived for another five minutes before falling 117-116 to the Miami Heat.

“Yeah, I missed on purpose,” Richardson said. “We were down two and I looked over and I saw Ben set up like a track runner. So I tried to miss to the right and it was a great look for me.”

“We needed a bucket,” said Simmons. “J-Rich missed to the right and I just came in.”

When the official initially called it off believing Richardson did not hit the rim, there was some confusion as Simmons and the Sixers did not know what to think.

“I wasn’t sure what he was calling because he was on the opposite side,” he added. “So I didn’t know how he saw that.”

Alas, Philadelphia did not win the game. They must now continue the road trip when they face the Indiana Pacers on New Year’s Eve. [lawrence-related id=22372,22359,22355]

Josh Richardson, Ben Simmons express frustrations after loss to Magic

The Philadelphia 76ers backcourt of Josh Richardson and Ben Simmons express frustrations after the loss.

It was a long and disappointing night for the Philadelphia 76ers as they fell to the Orlando Magic 98-97 on Friday to follow up an impressive win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day. It was a disappointing effort not one for a team that has championship aspirations.

Coach Brett Brown criticized the team’s poor effort saying they did not respond to the Magic’s physicality and Josh Richardson agreed with his coach.

“I think at points, we were trying to be physical,” said Richardson. “But we were getting called for small [fouls] so I think we let that affect us, too.”

Tobias Harris said the Sixers play to the level of their opponent no matter who it is. Which explains all of their impressive wins and their disheartening losses.

I think there is a tone set that we wait too long to raise it with certain teams like tonight and you lose games like this,” said All-Star Ben Simmons. “We got to bring that same intensity, drive, communication, and energy every game no matter who we play from start to finish.”

The Magic were considered a trap game as they were in between the Bucks on Christmas and a bigger matchup with the Miami Heat on Saturday and to play the way they did on Friday, it leaves a bad taste in their mouths.

“It’s tough to come out and play like that (against the Bucks) and then turn around and play like this,” Richardson added. “You just gotta take everybody with the same amount of urgency and the same amount of seriousness.”

The Sixers will look to get that edge back on Saturday when they do face the Heat in Miami. [lawrence-related id=22299,22277,22240]

Sixers vs. Magic preview: Sixers look to continue to grow as a group

The Philadelphia 76ers hit the road to take on the Orlando Magic.

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off one of their most impressive performances on the season after a Christmas Day win over the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s the type of win that can really give a team the confidence it needs to continue to push forward and carry with them to start a four-game road trip.

They take on a familiar face in Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic on Friday to start this trip. The Magic have not gotten off to the start some prognosticators expected out of them, but they are the current 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and they aren’t a slouch. Philadelphia will have to avoid an emotional letdown heading into this one.

With that said, it’s time for the complete guide to this matchup:

How to watch Sixers vs. Magic

  • Date: Friday, December 27
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Location: Amway Center Orlando, FL
  • TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBATV

Injury Report

  • Sixers: OUT: Matisse Thybulle(right knee sprain)
  • Magic: Al-Farouq Aminu(torn right knee meniscus), Michael Carter-Williams(sprained left AC joint)

Storylines

Brown comes to a realization

With all of the new parts on the Sixers and the awkward fit, it means coach Brett Brown has to make an adjustment in his coaching style. Normally, Brown will allow Ben Simmons to be able to run the offense and not call any plays as it’s more of a hands-off approach to the offense. However, with this new team, Brown has realized that he has to get up and coach this team on that end.

“For me, the recognition that the called play environment, which isn’t really the way I want to coach, is needed at times,” said Brown “You’ve got to stand up and be like ‘Hey! Get Jo the ball or get somebody here’ when it’s just jailbreak and it’s open court on misses, I think we’re pretty good and Ben’s elite in open court.”

Embiid and Richardson working things out

As mentioned above, this is still a fairly new team. Despite it being past Christmas now, they still have not been able to get much playing time in together due to a variety of reasons. That means Joel Embiid is still getting used to new teammates, such as Josh Richardson. While playing with JJ Redick, Embiid played a certain style with him that involved a lot of dribble hand-offs while Richardson likes to run a lot of pick-and-roll. Embiid is still getting used to his new shooting guard.

“We’re still learning,” said the big man. “I’m still learning how to play with him, especially out of the pick-and-roll. He’s a guy that likes to cross back a lot and sometimes I’m caught off guard and he does it quite often so I’m still getting used to playing with him. It’s been great for us and he needs to keep doing whatever he’s been doing.”

Prediction

This is another test for the Sixers. While the Magic clearly are not on the same level as the Bucks, they do possess some talented players such as Nikola Vucevic, Jonathan Isaac, and Aaron Gordon who will give them some trouble. Philadelphia will also have to avoid an emotional letdown after the impressive win. They know what they’re capable of and now it’s just about finding that consistency. Just like on Christmas, this should be another big game for them as they rise to the challenge.

Pick: Sixers pull away late

Sixers vs. Magic season series

Game 1 November 13: 112-97 Magic

Game 2 December 27:

Game 3 April 5: 

[lawrence-related id=22176,22185,22164]

Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid believe Sixers had best performance vs. Bucks

Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons believe the Sixers had their best performance of the year.

The Philadelphia 76ers knew the importance of Christmas Day. Playing on Christmas means you’re considered one of the best teams in the league so it’s a privilege to play on the holiday. The Sixers did not waste this opportunity to show the world what they can do.

They led by as many as 29 on their way to a relatively easy 121-109 win over the Milwaukee Bucks as they made a statement in their own way. Considering the importance of playing on Christmas, their opponent, and the way they played, some would argue that it was their best performance of the season.

“For sure,” said Joel Embiid. “Obviously you’re playing the best in the league so we came out and showed that through our ups and downs we’re right there. We still got a long way to go, but we’re right there and we’re going to keep on getting better.”

Embiid and Ben Simmons, the two All-Star leaders of the team had themselves big performances as Embiid had 31 points and 11 rebounds and Simmons had 15 points, 14 assists, and seven rebounds in the win. On top of his gaudy stat line, Embiid led a terrific defensive effort against a good offensive squad.

“It’s Christmas,” said Simmons. “I think it set the tone for us. We know what level we can compete at, we can compete with the best. We just have to set the tone every game no matter who we play.”

A game such as this one shows off what kind of leaders Embiid and Simmons are and how much they really impact the Sixers as a whole.

“It says a lot about our group, especially Joel and his stamp on the game,” said Al Horford. “His ability to go out there and dominate and Ben also being able to go out there and dominate out there, both of them setting that tone for the rest of our group. They were unbelievable tonight, both of them.”

The challenge now is to avoid a letdown on Friday when they hit the road and face the Orlando Magic. [lawrence-related id=22128,22119,22105]

General manager Elton Brand says Sixers believe in Ben Simmons’ shot

Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand says the team still believes in Ben Simmons’ jump shot.

The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a 22-10 start as they enter the Christmas Day matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, but there have been concerns surrounding a team whose stated goal is to win a championship in 2020.

One of those big concerns has been the lack of progression in Ben Simmons’ jump shot. The Sixers point guard does so many good things on the floor, but the big concern has been his jumper in a league so predicated on shooting and spacing.

General manager Elton Brand in the preseason said the team wants him to shoot and that he’s going to shoot, but the numbers have not been there. He has taken only five 3-pointers on the season and he has made two, so there is some type of progression there, but there has to be more.

“We believe in Ben. We believe in his shot and his progression,” said Brand before the Christmas game. “He’s a point guard, 17 assists the other night (Monday), he wants to make the highest percentage play every time. He will unlock another level of our team once he starts doing that more and he knows that, coach (Brett Brown) knows that, and we’re working towards that.”

Simmons has made big strides in his game in 2019-20, especially on the defensive end where he is quickly becoming one of the top defenders in the league regardless of position. He has closed games out on that end coming up with big steals and big stops on the defensive end and it’s something that Brand has acknowledged.

“Ben, leading the league in steals, playing defense, closing games in defense, and I think fitting into the team,” he said. “My goal is to have a better team so that takes time, that takes growth.”

For the Sixers to have success in the playoffs, however, they will have to figure out the Simmons spacing issue. There were many times in the previous two playoff seasons where teams would block Simmons off from going into the paint and then that was it. The offense would bog down and it would cause a lot of dysfunction and it made life tough for Joel Embiid to operate on the low block.

“Ben’s going to do more than his fair share defensively,” Brand added. “I think he’s going to unlock some other things with his spacing. We’re going to put him in places on the court that Joel and the rest of the team can be successful. It’s not a concern.”

With the concern of this team being his jumper and the spacing in the playoffs, it would make sense for him to take more jumpers in the regular season in preparation for the postseason.

“If it’s not going to happen in the regular season, the time to work on it, it won’t happen later on in the season or in the playoffs,” he added. “It’s a work in progress, it’s true, and once he gains the confidence and realizes that that’s a high percentage play for the team and for us, we’ll be fine. He’ll be fine.”

The Simmons jump shot issue will continue to pop up throughout the season as the team steamrolls towards the NBA Playoffs. It’s an issue that has to be fixed sooner rather than later. [lawrence-related id=22090,22082,22067]

Sixers vs. Bucks preview: Sixers head into prime time ready to be tested

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks clash on Christmas Day.

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks were the two leading contenders in the East for the NBA Finals and that remains the case as the teams head into a huge Christmas Day matchup on Wednesday. The Sixers have won two in a row over lesser competition such as the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons, but they saw some good things in the wins.

The Bucks have romped through the league and the reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing at another level. The Bucks possess the best record in the league and they also own wins over the top two contenders in the West: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. This represents a stiff test for Philadelphia to move forward.

With that said, it’s now time for the game guide:

How to watch Sixers vs. Bucks

  • Date: Wednesday, December 25
  • Time: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Location: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
  • TV: ABC

Injury Report

  • Sixers: OUT: Matisse Thybulle(right knee sprain)
  • Bucks: OUT: Eric Bledsoe(right fibula fracture), Dragan Bender(right ankle sprain)

Storylines

Simmons ready for a test

The Sixers know that if they are to reach their stated goal of winning an NBA championship, they know they will have to battle through the Bucks to get there. Milwaukee reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2019 and they were two wins away from the Finals before falling victim to Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors. Ben Simmons says the Sixers are excited about the matchup and they will be looking forward to being tested.

“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.”

Sixers working through zone struggles

Philadelphia lost three in a row before the wins over the Wizards and the Pistons and it was mainly due to opposing teams using a zone defense, specifically the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. Both Washington and Detroit employed a zone and the Sixers were able to break through it rather quickly so it gives them some confidence that they can bust it. Detroit’s zone, specifically, did not bother coach Brett Brown’s team on Monday.

“I think that the execution against the zone was outstanding. It didn’t affect us, it didn’t affect us — and I thought that they handled that extremely well,” said Brown. “I especially liked the offensive rebounding. They were committed offensively…and the accumulation of those two things allowed us to score.”

If the Bucks are to use a zone, it will be tougher to score against due to their length and defensive acumen, but that’s the beauty of being tested.

Prediction

This will be a terrific matchup. The Sixers have an advantage down low with Joel Embiid and Al Horford being able to use their size and strength against the Lopez twins, Brook and Robin. As far as defending Antetokounmpo, the Sixers can throw a variety of defenders at him such as Horford, Simmons, and Tobias Harris so they will all get their share of chances. Ultimately, Milwaukee’s shooters surrounding their superstar could be the difference.

Pick: Bucks in a classic

Sixers vs. Bucks season series

Game 1 December 25:

Game 2 February 6:

Game 3 February 22: 

[lawrence-related id=22082,22067,22051]

Ben Simmons says Christmas matchup with Bucks will be a ‘good test’

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons is excited for a matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas.

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]

Multiple Sixers react to big third quarter that helped put away Pistons

The Philadelphia 76ers used a big second half in order to knock off the Detroit Pistons on the road.

The scoreboard read 125-109 in favor of the Philadelphia 76ers when the final buzzer sounded, but the hobbled Detroit Pistons kept it close on the strength of their 3-point shooting. However, that all changed in the third quarter to allow the Sixers to run away with it.

“It was very important,” said Ben Simmons. “They had a few guys who were just knocking down shots. Tony Snell had a few of them, but overall I think we did a good job.”

With the game deadlocked at 65 with 8:39 to go in the third, the Sixers took a lead and they did not look back. Their perimeter defense tightened up and Detroit was struggling to find any type of open look. It was the type of performance that coach Brett Brown can be happy with.

“I thought defensively in the second half we did a much better job of two things, finding the shooters,” said Brown. “I think there were only three threes in the second half. I thought for the most part, our game, we did a good job of boxing them out. I think they had six offensive rebounds for the game and they’re one of the elite offensive rebounding teams in the NBA. I thought those two things were the things that stood out the most.”

The third quarter started with Detroit opening on a 13-5 to tie the game at 65, but after that, the Sixers didn’t allow much and they then found a groove offensively, led by Furkan Korkmaz who scored 10 of his 21 points in the third quarter. It was a much-needed performance against an inferior opponent.

“I think that the group with Tobias was scoring at a high rate and frequently. Furkan came in and gave us some good contribution,” Brown added. “The 33 assists, the 12 turnovers, that’s an incredible ratio and Ben was 17 of those assists.”

Philadelphia needed a game like this one in the second half. They should be able to put away a team like this one and be able to run away with it.

“I think in the second half we started off and they got a little run late,” said Harris who led the way with 35 points. “They got some good looks at three, then we kind of buckled down and really limited them from the three-ball.”

The Sixers now turn their attention to a marquee Christmas Day game with the Milwaukee Bucks. [lawrence-related id=22040,22028,22026]

Ben Simmons joins elite company with latest triple-double

Sixers guard Ben Simmons recorded his 24th career triple-double Monday night and joined some impressive names in the process.

The Philadelphia 76ers earned a solid 125-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, and there were plenty of great individual performances that helped them along the way. Tobias Harris’ 35-point outburst stands out, as does Furkan Korkmaz’s 21-point explosion off the bench. Ben Simmons was fantastic as well, and his performance put him in some very good company.

Simmons finished with 16 points, 17 assists, and 13 rebounds (including six on the offensive glass) to help spur the Sixers to their relatively easy victory. It was the 24th triple-double of Simmons’ career and it moved him into a tie for third-most such performances in a player’s first three seasons.

Simmons moved into a tie with Grant Hill, and now trails only Magic Johnson (31) and Oscar Roberston (87). It’s not inconceivable to think he could threaten Magic’s 31 and get into second place in the category.

Simmons remains a polarizing figure as he hasn’t shown the consistent offensive growth many, including the Sixers organization, were hoping to see from him this season despite occasionally showing flashes.

Still, it’s impossible to ignore his ability to impact games with his rare gifts. Simmons’ ability to rebound helps the Sixers to be able to push the pace and attack defenses before they can get set, and his vision is truly special for a player his size. Perhaps most importantly, Simmons has become the defensive juggernaut the team has envisioned, leading the league in steals with 2.2 per game and being a true nightmare for opposing offenses. His defense has already directly impacted several Sixers wins this season.

Already holding a Rookie of the Year award and an All-Star selection, the fact that Simmons is still developing is a scary prospect for the rest of the league. It seems likely that he will join more lists like the one discussed here, and the possibilities of what he can become are tantalizing. For now, there’s already plenty to appreciate. [lawrence-related id=22026,21925,21877,21678,21514]