Please inject all of the "Face With Steam Nose" emojis into my veins.
Ben Simmons was in his bag last night dropping 31 points on a ridiculous 11-13 FG, 9-11 FT to go along with nine assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals propelling the Sixers to a massive 131-115 Game 3 win over the Nets, without Joel Embiid.
1. Villain Ben
Ben getting booed, being the villain. Playing through it and ballin out. This is good for him. He's growing up right now! --
— Andrew Porter (@And_Porter) April 19, 2019Simmons relished in the role of villain, as he booed on every touch by the Nets fans. It's an excellent moment for the 22-year-old's career trajectory, as he's growing up in this moment. This is good for him. And he responded beautifully.
2. He put the Jared Dudley thing to bed
Jared Dudley: "Once you get Ben Simmons in the half court, he's average"Also Jared Dudley: pic.twitter.com/R3ke2wkIb8
— Eagles Fan Problems (@EagleFanProbs) April 19, 2019Dudley was 0-2 in 17 minutes.
Simmons also enjoyed Dudley's wide-open air ball.
Ben Simmons' reaction to Dudley's airball is savage. ☠️☠️☠️
A post shared by House of Highlights (@houseofhighlights) on Apr 18, 2019 at 6:59pm PDT
Marc Zumoff: "You know what, Jared Dudley sometimes struggles in the half court." Savage.
And this.
Simmons laughing at Dudley -- pic.twitter.com/iEDkjMo7GK
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 19, 2019After the game Simmons said, "I don't have energy for that. Honestly. It's done. People are going to say what they want to say. It is what it is. I just got to play."
3. Simmons' patent fake dribble hand-off dunk was the exclamation point
The patent Ben Simmons fake handoff SLAM ------ pic.twitter.com/T0nKbrTE9C
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 19, 2019It looked like Simmons set this up with JJ Redick before it happened, or he at least appeared to have said something to JJ. Either way, this move is becoming a Simmons staple.
4. The put back was nasty too
Ben Simmons throws down a put-back dunk and the Sixers are up 65-59 at the half pic.twitter.com/kAVv0sJ4PY
— Tom West (@TomWestNBA) April 19, 20195. Swatting a jumper
Simmons in -- mode early on pic.twitter.com/L4co1kAWED
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 19, 2019I mean you just don't see this in the NBA. Someone getting a three-point shot swatted backwards! Just incredible defense by Simmons.
6. Free-throws!
The Nets tried to play hack-a-Ben late in the game, but it didn't work. Simmons finished 9-11 from the line.
Maybe that performance will quiet the critics for a day or two. The thing is, Ben Simmons is who he is. A 22-year-old, 6-10, athletic freak. One of the game's best players in transition, an elite passer and defender, a nonexistent shooter, and someone who is continuing to improve in the half court and at the foul line.
He's going to have another nine point game here and there, that's the nature of his game. But that doesn't make him a bad player. He's a unique player, who is continuing to grow right before our eyes. Either you're with him or you're not.
