Ben Simmons has played a game for the Sixers. A preseason game, but a game nonetheless. And after a season-long injury, he didn't miss a beat.
Simmons stuffed the stat sheet with six points, seven rebounds, nine assists, a block and a turnover in 22 minutes on Wednesday. He eased into the point guard role and was comfortable scoring on the break or finding his teammates (see highlights).
Even though the Grizzlies took over the game in the second half and beat the Sixers, 110-89, Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale was impressed.
"I don't want to see that for the next 15 years," he said of Simmons. "That kid, they're not talking about him enough. … Once he gets confidence in his shot where you really have to close out all the way to the three, wow. He's a big-time talent."
Simmons dished five assists in just under 10 minutes in the first quarter alone (see observations). He was the main ball handler when paired with Markelle Fultz in the starting lineup (more on him here). The Sixers also got a look at Simmons and veteran Jerryd Bayless, the initially-planned backcourt duo before both were injured last season.
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Brett Brown considers Simmons to be "an advanced" rookie compared to Fultz given the year the 2016 No. 1 pick spent with the Sixers while rehabbing from a Jones fracture. During that time, Simmons was able to observe and study the NBA game even if he wasn't playing.
"His breakaway speed, his ability to get to the rim, the pace of which he plays, I love," Brown said. "His ability to see things, find corners. When defensive players just nudge him over, he can find stuff well."
Of course, Simmons still has room to grow after just one game. He shot 2 for 8 from the field and 0 for 3 from long range. Brown would like him to improve on finishing at the rim at a higher rate. Simmons wants to enhance his "game-ready wind." It has been over a year since he played an official game during the 2016 summer league session.
"I've got to work on different plays and sets and reading the defense, seeing what's open," Simmons said.
Simmons has willing helpers on that end of the floor. As one of the Sixers' best defenders, Robert Covington said he is "taking Ben under his wing." Justin Anderson has been talking with Simmons about his D as well.
"Ben brings everything," Covington said. "He's a monster on both sides. He doesn't even realize how good he is just yet because he's only played one game."
