Ben Simmons played basketball in Philadelphia. It was preseason hoops, but who cares about that right now.

He started at point guard tonight and boy did he have himself a night.

Highlights from his preseason debut after the jump:

He started the game right out of the gate:

His vision is gonna be unreal.

https://twitter.com/BarstoolJordie/status/915717667671220225

I’m all for half-court alley oops.

His last assist in the first half was something I can’t explain:

He posted seven assists in the first half:

Already, his presence is going to make his teammates better. Prime example of this midway through the third quarter:

Four guys watching Ben left Covington wide open for an easy three.

His per 36 minute stats would have given him a triple-double:

The fact that he won’t have a minutes restriction this season makes me more giddy about his potential for this season. He was a crowd favorite immediately, and that may be able to help Markelle Fultz during the season:

Fultz is still adapting, and Joel isn’t cleared for 5-on-5 drills. But Ben has some work to do as well, including his shot.

Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale said the hype is real surrounding Simmons. He’s right.