Just like the first 12 opponents, the LA Clippers, led by scoring machine Lou Williams and head coach Doc Rivers, saw firsthand what the likely future 2018 Rookie of the Year in Ben Simmons can do on Monday night at Staples Center. The 76ers point-forward torched the Clippers for 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block on 9-14 shooting and 4-6 at the free throw line. Simmons put up nine points, four rebounds, and an assist in the fourth quarter as the Sixers fought back from a five-point deficit with two minutes remaining to take home an impressive victory.
Simmons bullied his way to the basket for dunks the entire game and kept the ball moving, while that didn't always result in assists for Simmons, it did create other opportunities for his teammates to score. Robert Covington seemed to be the primary beneficiary of the movement, scoring a career-high 31 points on 9-12 shooting and 5-8 from beyond the arc.
After the game, Rivers spoke about his first impressions of the 6-foot-10 point forward.
“Just watching Ben Simmons tonight, this is the first time I've seen him other than on film, his vision is unbelievable and he makes quick decisions,” said Rivers. “He's not holding the ball for very long. He's stronger and bigger than you think. Guys are bouncing off of him a lot. Overall, I think we did a couple of things that we shouldn't have done covering him, like pressuring him too high.”
Although they were never matched up, Lou Williams saw Simmons finish a pair of dunks over him and his attempt to contest at the rim. During the second sequence, Simmons stared Williams down immediately after throwing it down and earned himself a technical foul for taunting. Williams responded by sharing a laugh about it with comedian Philadelphia Kevin Hart, who sat courtside for the game, and lighting up the Sixers for 16 fourth-quarter points on 6-8 shooting, putting the Clippers in good position to win the game.
Williams commented about what he saw from Simmons for the first time and what makes him such a tough guard.
“He's a player, man,” Lou Williams told ClutchPoints after scoring 31 points. “He's going to be an All-Star in this league. At that size, he did some incredible things tonight that were really impressive and he's going to be around along time.
“Absolutely,” Williams added when asked if he's a hard guy to guard. “Tonight, he was really hard to guard. I think he's a 6-foot-8 or 6-foot-9 point guard. He has high basketball IQ. It's no secret,the struggles the Sixers have had in recent years; you put him on the floor and he changes things around for them.”
Clearly, there's nothing but praise for the 21-year old rookie in Ben Simmons, and it'll be interesting to see how he develops and what kind of player he becomes if he can remain healthy.
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