Adrian Fedkiw
Philadelphia got another glimpse into its future as Ben Simmons took the floor for a second time in a 76ers uniform Thursday night.
Once again we saw Simmons’ impeccable vision on full display with a bevy of different passes and his ability to grab the defensive rebound and immediately go the other way on the one-man fastbreak.
Simmons remains a bit passive, but that aggressiveness should improve over time.
The first overall pick posted six points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Sixers beat the Utah Jazz 86-75 in their third Summer League game.
Simmons finished just 2-of-8 from the floor after going 2-of-9 in his opener, but the skill set remains eye-popping. And the Aussie could’ve racked up a couple more assists had his teammates hit a few more jump shots. He was 2-of-6 from the foul line, previously hitting all six of his free throws in the Summer League opener.
Here are a few highlights.
Simmons’ first assist came when he drove the left baseline, hung in the air and found Richaun Holmes with a nifty wraparound pass.
Simmons’ first assist pic.twitter.com/lBF1zpCl1i
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) July 8, 2016
The second dime was even nicer, getting the step along the right baseline with a crossover and hitting a cutting Holmes down the lane with a right-handed bounce pass.
Another dime from Simmons pic.twitter.com/k1yJ0Hn2r3
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) July 8, 2016
With the shot clock running down early in the second quarter, Simmons was able to drive from the top of the arc, stop at the foul line and kick out to Maodo Lo for a left wing 3-pointer.
That drive and kick game pic.twitter.com/yEO91coq1V
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) July 8, 2016
My favorite part of Simmons’ game is his ability to grab a defensive rebound and head the other way on a one-man fastbreak. In this instance he grabbed the board, drove the left wing and drew a foul.
We’ve seen this a few times so far, grabbing defensive board, going other way and drawing a foul. One man fastbreak. pic.twitter.com/IB32XH1vTh
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) July 8, 2016
Don’t give Simmons a head of steam going downhill!
Don’t give Simmons a head of steam going downhill pic.twitter.com/YdMsssaTiu
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) July 8, 2016
And another example of Simmons clearing the defensive glass and starting the break the other way. This time he hits Bryon Allen with a beautiful no-look bounce pass into the left corner from the right wing.
Once again we see Ben grab board & head other way on break, this time hitting Allen with pretty no-look bounce pass pic.twitter.com/n4aldz7gT5
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) July 8, 2016
Christian Wood and Holmes netted 17 points apiece, while late first-round pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot finished with nine points and six boards for the Sixers, who will head to Las Vegas for their next Summer League game Saturday night against second overall selection Brandon Ingram and the Los Angeles Lakers.
That’ll be fun!