via Getty
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers flexes while the fans react to a dunk by Joel Embiid in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
via Getty
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers flexes while the fans react to a dunk by Joel Embiid in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
After missing the whole season the year he was drafted, Ben Simmons missed just four games in the next two seasons. However this season, he has missed eleven games so far. Two from a minor shoulder sprain back in November and another nine games because of a back injury he suffered in February.
During this time, the 76ers won six games while losing five. Three of these were against a .500 or above team and they lost all of them. Joel Embiid is one of the most talented players in the league but without Simmons, the 76ers struggle. This could be worrying for the Philly fans. Head coach Brett Brown revealed he wasn’t optimistic about Simmons returning this season.
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“My opinion and this is not confirmed yet, is that we are going to be able to inch him back into this,” said Brown. “Is he going to be 100%, I don’t expect that. But I think he is going to be available.”
How will the Philadelphia Sixers fare without Ben Simmons?
Without Simmons, the Sixers face a huge playmaking void. Their back up point guard Shake Milton is just a sophomore with bare minimum experience in the NBA. In the eight games he started as a point guard, his scoring has been off the charts including a career-high 39 against in a loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. But he barely averaged 4.4 assists in that period.
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This season, Simmons has made his case as an excellent defender. Leading the steals chart, he has an outside chance at the Defensive Player of the Year award. Being 6’10, he towers over his matchups and can guard anyone from 1 through 4. When teams switch up, he provides Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris a mismatch against point guards. So the Sixers will really miss the impact Simmons had on the defensive side too in his absence.
Joel Embiid lacks the leadership to lead a side to a championship. He has been criticized for it by multiple people including, NBA legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley. He’s also very injury-prone, missing two seasons after being drafted. He has not even played over 64 games in the three complete seasons he has played in the NBA.
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The Sixers may have the best home record, but their struggles on the road are alarming. With 10-24, they have the worst away record among the 16 teams who are in the playoff standings as of now. Although Simmons’ Instagram posts show he’s back practicing, one cannot be sure yet. Philly fans will be eagerly waiting for a further update on his status as the NBA return date comes closer.
