Sixers

Ben Simmons Introduced Himself Tonight

By Chris Jastrzembski

Published: Oct 4th, 2017 · 10:02 PM EDT

---

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:

Ben Simmons' first bucket… An assist from Markelle Fultz!
Markelle Fultz's first bucket… An assist from Ben Simmons!#NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/RcuOUNDAgt

— NBA (@NBA) October 4, 2017

https://twitter.com/DidTheSixersWin/status/915718846891339776

His vision is gonna be unreal.

Ben Simmons is here 👀 pic.twitter.com/HxmYvXYD87

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) October 4, 2017

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:

How the hell did Ben Simmons make this pass? https://t.co/YJ8T1pWDEi

— drew (@sixersruinedme) October 5, 2017

He posted seven assists in the first half:

Ben Simmons dished out 7 first half ASTS in the @sixers' #NBAPreseason opener! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/vM3Rf53DD7

— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2017

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

4th 3 for Covington, another good look due to all of the attention Ben Simmons commands. pic.twitter.com/aWRVo3iQXH

— Kansas More Chaints (@AdrianFedkiw) October 5, 2017

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

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

https://twitter.com/DidTheSixersWin/status/915747737534107648

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:

Simmons being an immediate crowd favorite sort of helps Fultz fly under the radar. Takes away a little bit of the spotlight and pressure.

— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) October 5, 2017

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.

Ben Simmons on his #NBA preseason debut. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/XzpDoqUcNT

— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) October 5, 2017

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