AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Philadelphia 76ers followers doubtlessly usually are now not feeling particularly high about Ben Simmons after their crew’s 103-96 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Sunday’s Game 7 of their 2nd-spherical playoff sequence, however he doesn’t are looking out to play any place else.
“Yeah, I love being in Philly,” he urged journalists. “I love this organization. The followers are extensive of us. I had a nasty sequence. I question that (boos). Or no longer it’s Philly.”
Simmons is already a three-time All-Star on the age of 24 and may per chance presumably well totally be on his formulation to an fabulous occupation, however his performance on this sequence will no longer be remembered fondly.
Even with his rebounding, assists and defense, he shot an grotesque 15-of-45 (33.3 percent) from the free-throw at some level of seven games and wanted to be benched in serious moments so Atlanta didn’t atrocious him. He moreover passed up reasonably a total lot of photos in Game 7, alongside with a probably dunk in a predominant 2nd real thru the fourth quarter.
It reached the level where the Hawks sagged to this level off him they may per chance presumably well with out issue send an additional defender in the direction of Joel Embiid, which ended in stagnant offense reasonably a total lot of times.
“I possess no longer know the acknowledge to that,” head coach Doc Rivers urged journalists when asked if Simmons may per chance presumably well presumably very successfully be the level guard of a championship winner.
Simmons is below contract thru the 2024-25 marketing campaign, so Philadelphia is staring at a anxiety where it needs to both alternate him or proceed building spherical him and Embiid. The formulation hasn’t worked to this level, as the crew hasn’t developed past the 2nd spherical since Allen Iverson led a scoot to the 2001 NBA Finals.
Being the No. 1 seed and shedding to the Hawks at dwelling in Game 7 when Trae Young shot 5-of-23 from the field is shut to unacceptable from Philadelphia’s perspective, and Simmons’ performance was a predominant rationalization for the beautiful end result.
He desires to pause, however it may per chance in point of fact presumably well presumably very successfully be as much as the 76ers whether they explore probably trades this offseason.
