Philadelphia Sixers star Ben Simmons put quite a number defensively against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard in their February 11 game. After the game, Simmons discussed his work on the less glamorous side of the ball, especially on elite, offensive players like Lillard.
Per Kyle Neubeck of the Philly Voice, Simmons declared, “I think I’m the best defensive player in the NBA.”
Lillard still finished the game with 30 points but had one of his shooting nights going six out of 21 from the field. Portland would come out on top in a tightly-contested match that ended 118-114, but it wasn't Simmons who was at fault.
Simmons' take is interesting since one could argue that he is not even the best defender on the Sixers. His teammate, big man Joel Embiid has been a perennial DPOY candidate. In 21 games this season, the Cameroonian has averaged 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.
While Simmons certainly has a shot of winning Defensive Player of the Year, it is hard to dislodge names, like the reigning awardee Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Rudy Gobert, and even a banged-up Anthony Davis in discussions as the best defender in the NBA. There is a reason why most winners of the award are listed as centers.
By the very nature of basketball, interior-bound centers have a bigger defensive impact than lockdown, perimeter defenders, since they are tasked with protecting the rim and hauling in possession-ending rebounds. Simmons does his best work in the perimeter, although he has the size of a center at 6'11 and 240 pounds. But at the end of the day, Sixers fans have to be happy to have both.
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