Ben Simmons - Defensive Dynamo 19/20 (Lockdown)

Ben Simmons. 2x NBA All-Star. 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year. He’s the very model of a modern Magic Johnson; just a vision with his versatility. He vaunts the 76ers, especially defensively, to ever greater heights. The ability to truly guard every position is awe-inspiring enough as it is, but Ben being able to disrupt the offense is so destructive that it is a sight to behold. His defensive ferocity forces opposing teams to have to go to their plan B. Simmons leads the league in steals, tied for first in loose balls recovered, third in deflections, ranks in the top 10 in defensive box plus/minus, and is in the top 20 in defensive win shares and Value Over Replacement Player (VORP).

Philadelphia has a glut of good defenders, but Simmons is often the one on LeBron James, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard, in the clutch. The big wing types (Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Pascal Siakam) are home for him, but he can venture out. Brett Brown doesn’t shy away from siccing Simmons on the more in-motion types of players - Bradley Beal, Joe Harris, Jamal Murray, and Khris Middleton are examples of guys who are at their most dangerous on the move, slaloming around screens set all across the court - but Ben still brings the intensity and effort against them. Simmons is also strong and stout so when he switches onto true bigs, they can’t back him down the way they would traditional “ones”, and since he IS primarily played as Philly’s point, he gets tasked with attacking opposing ball handlers.

Off the ball, Ben is devastating with his deflections. Zach Lowe on a recent podcast (link below) said of Simmons “he had a stretch during the season where he was like Deion Sanders closing games with interceptions.”

Simmons spoke at the beginning of this season that the goal was to win an NBA championship, and that “every other individual accolade comes along with doing your job.” Simmons added “That’s just my mentality - I’d rather win and see everybody on my team do well than an individual accolade…unless it’s Defensive Player of the Year.” If you watch the clips, I organized them to show more than just how springy Simmons is with his steals. He moves his feet magnificently, he closes out well and chases guys off the line, and his hands are so quick and strong that even MVPs like Russell Westbrook and Giannis Antetokounmpo just sort of stand there staring at the refs because they are expecting to get their superstar calls.

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Big shoutout to @SmartHighlights .

[jd]

His quickness and speed allows him to poke for steals and interceptions. He has Fantastic basketball IQ

[ramonbutler]

How he wasn't a finalist for DPOY is a joke, he's the best & most versatile defender in the league

[teejaytv]

Someone who knows how to make defensive highlights
Finally found someone who doesn’t just put steals and blocks in the video

[Phoenix]

Simmons is off the charts elite when it comes to his defence. In fact he is elite at every part of the game except the one obvious flaw that everyone focuses on. If he develops into a confident shooter, he will be a genuine MVP candidate. Also, the 76'ers now have 3 Aussies in their team.

[GuyBoo]

Damn watching these highlights after my Sixers got blasted by the C's tonight really made me miss Ben even more 😔. Everyone criticizes him for his lack of a jumpshot but he does SO MUCH more for Philly on the defensive side of the ball. His defense creates alot of Philly's transition offense which is sorely being missed right now in this bubble playoffs.

[marlinesutherland]

I’m looking forward to when he makes Harden turn the ball over 6+ a game 😊

[gulitzt]

Its not only how he does it, its to me who he does it too. The best scorers and players in the nba has tasted his steals and even blocks

[yunan]

His reaction time is insane, paired with those long arms he covers more than the offensive player expects. Being at that size it should be hard to slide around and navigating screens but his length and anticipation makes up for that

[Gilh]

I love that you collect footage of defense besides steals&blocks in your videos - like real defense: handling screens, 1 on 1, in the post, contesting shots
I would to see even more of these! 🙏😇

[treycdd]

I knew he was strong but didn’t know he was that strong with centers failing to back him down. Keep making great videos and I’ll always support. Watching this I feel you could definitely make another premier passer for him. Or some other thoughts for passing are chris paul, Luka, lebron, lonzo or Ricky Rubio. Maybe show another rocket player some love give ROCO a defensive dynamo

[noahamankwaah]

He is pretty much good/elite at every part of defense : great point of attack defender, great nail/help defender ( league leading 2.1 steals per games ), good isolation defender. The only thing he isn't great is rim protection, even though he's above average for a guard but is a bit disappointing for an 6'9 player. But he have one of the best paint defender in Embiid to cover his only defensive weakness.

First team all D for sure this season.
Even if he never become Magic Johnson, at least he will be a way greater defender than he ever was.

[eddi]

I seriously watch this every day. I absolutely love his defence. if I could like this more then once this video would have a million likes!!!

[AdipYT]

Every match bruh he is guarding best player of opposition team and locking em down !!! Best perimeter defender !! Nasty 💪

[flyersboy]

versatile and flat out ridiculous defender

[dawidklonowski]

My god this guy's defense is an eye candy, so satisfying to watch

[kagisosegami]

6’10 doing this is freaky AF man like how !!!!

[yessir]

This guy is genuinely elite at every facet of the game except shooting . When he gets a jumpshot he'll be top 3 in the league . Doesnt even need to be a good jumpshot. Just an average one

[PresidentValentine]

For almost a week I wanted to search " Ben Simmons Defensive highlights 2020" but then I was like "Nah imma wait for my boi evin to upload one"
I was so happily surprised when I got the notification 😂😂

[Jazchong]

if this guy show up in playoff games for the nets it will be so fun to watch

[Vibe]

Very underrated defender in both the perimeter and post. Future DPOTY for sure