Ben Simmons – The Aussie Setting The NBA Alight

The NBA named Ben Simmons in the All-NBA Third Team for the 2019-20 season, which was the first time he’d achieved the honor in his career. He was the 15th 76er to gain recognition in an All-NBA side, which capped off an excellent season for him personally. Although his side was below par in the playoffs this year, which he unfortunately missed, Simmons had a great season overall. Let’s take a look at how his year went, where it all started, and what the future holds.

2019/20 Season

Simmons played 57 games during what was his third NBA season in 2019/20. All of them were starts too. He averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists. There were only two other players in the league to achieve averages better than this – Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The Australian led the Eastern Conference with six triple-doubles, which ranked fifth in the NBA overall.

He averaged a league-leading 2.1 steals per game which saw him rewarded with a first-team selection in the NBA All-Defensive team. His steals average was the best from a 76er for six years. With five or more steals per game in numerous matches, he was one of only six players in the season to achieve that feat. Not only that but he also tied the NBA single-game season-high for multiple seven-steal games. He was the only player to do so.

If he continues his fine form into the next campaign and stays with Philadelphia, they’ll have a great chance of another shot at the playoffs, although it’s hard to see beyond the teams in Los Angeles in terms of winning the NBA Championship. The Lakers and the Clippers are priced at 4.25 (+325) and 6.50 (+550) respectively with popular bookmaker bet365. The 76ers are rank outsiders at odds of 26.0 (+2500). If you fancy Philadelphia or either LA side, Aussie bettors have quite a lot of options with many bookmakers to choose from. It’s worth taking your time to find the best price, thus enjoying better value with your bet.

An Impressive First Three Seasons

It’s been a great first three years in the NBA for Ben Simmons. Since being picked first overall in the 2016 NBA draft, he’s played 217 games, all of which he’s started. Just look at the following tally:

• 3553 points
• 1800 rebounds
• 1726 assists
• 371 steals
• 164 blocks

As a point guard and a power forward, Simmons has become one of just two players in NBA history to post at least 3500 points, 1800 rebounds, and 1700 assists in their first three seasons. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where he is now. The stats reaffirm just how vital the Aussie is to the 76ers and the NBA as a whole. He has a whole country behind him.

His name is even up there alongside LeBron James and Dwayne Wade when it comes to steals and blocks. They’re the only three players to get at least 350 steals and 150 blocks in their first three NBA seasons.

What’s Next for Simmons?

The sky’s the limit. Look at the names he holds records with. They’re legends of the game, and Ben Simmons can undoubtedly add his name to that list if he continues in the same vein in the coming years. However, what’s not certain is his future with his current team. The Philadelphia 76ers recently sacked head coach Brett Brown after a below-par performance in the playoffs that saw the 76ers thrashed 4-0 by the Celtics. There are bound to be roster changes ahead of the new season as the same setup will undoubtedly produce the same results.

With his All-NBA selection, Simmons bagged himself a $26 million pay rise, but he took to social media to shut down any talk of him resting on his laurels. He posted an Instagram story of him working out, with the caption: “No vacation, don’t deserve it”.

The 2020/21 season will be his fourth in the NBA. Let’s see how many more records he can break.