The insane stat that spells trouble for Ben Simmons in NBA Playoffs
At his best, Ben Simmons is a nigh-on unstoppable NBA basketballer.
There is almost nobody in the league (or on the planet, for that matter) who can throw him off his game.
Almost.
The reigning Rookie of the Year will face the single biggest test of his young NBA career when his Philadelphia 76ers face the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
It isn’t the first time Simmons has been on this kind of stage, but this series will no doubt be one of the defining moments of his career.
Why? Kawhi Leonard.
After sitting out all but nine games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, Leonard was sent to the Raptors after requesting a trade.
This was a big deal for Ben Simmons for a number of reasons, none moreso than this – Kawhi Leonard may well be the Aussie star’s kryptonite.
In three regular-season meetings between the Sixers and Raptors, Leonard gave Simmons a taste of the reasons why he’s considered one of the best, if not the best defender in the league.
Matched up against Leonard the majority of the time, Simmons turned the ball over a total of 23 times in three games.
During their first ever match-up, Ben Simmons threw the rock away a startling 11 times.
When asked about their matchup after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 4-1 in the first round, Simmons had three words to explain how he would overcome Leonard’s defence.
“Just stay focused,” he said.
Built to stop the Sixers
The Leonard/Simmons matchup isn’t the only reason Philadelphia will be a little nervous heading into the second round.
The Raptors have created a roster well-suited to shutting down the 76ers’ unique array of offensive weaponry, while maintaining their own scoring potency.
Toronto won their regular season series, although Simmons dominated the one match-up Leonard missed, due to rest.
Kawhi Leonard is David Blaine.
Ben Simmons is the dollar bill he makes disappear.
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) October 31, 2018
Rangy wings like Pascal Siakam and Danny Green will also be a tough challenge for the Simmons.
It’s more than just Simmons the Raptors are prepared for.
They acquired Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies, almost specifically for insurance against dominant Philly big Joel Embiid.
Embiid monstered Brooklyn’s Jarrett Allen physically in their round one series, but Gasol, a former Defensive Player of the Year, will be a different story.
No matter what happens, the second round of the NBA playoffs is a must-see.
