Among the young talent that has taken the league by storm early on this season, Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons stands out from the pack. Technically still a rookie due to sitting out all last season, Simmons has a more mature and complete game than just about any other first or second-year player.
As a 6’10” floor general, Simmons puts together well-rounded stat lines on a nightly basis. Along with his game, Simmons handles the media and off-court business like a veteran as well as was indicated after the Sixers 107-86 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Asked whether he would care about being the first rookie to make the All-Star game since Blake Griffin, Simmons said all he cares about is championship hardware:
Ben Simmons: “I wanna win a ring… more than one” ???#TrustTheProcess pic.twitter.com/9tknh5AsQd
— Sixers Legion (@SixersLegion) November 21, 2017
At just 21 years old, it’s becoming more and more obvious that Simmons has a game and a mindset that goes well beyond his years. Though Simmons will in fact likely make the All-Star game, it has to be refreshing for the 76ers and Philadelphia as a whole knowing that they finally have a franchise centerpiece with a true winning mentality.
Though the Sixers have one of the brightest futures in the NBA, their play has been up and down this season as is expected with a raw roster. Still, their 9-7 record through 16 games marks their best start to a campaign in five years, making this an encouraging start to the Ben Simmons era in Philly.
On the season, Simmons is posting per-game averages of 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists as he appears to be well on his way to securing Rookie of The Year honors.
