Ben Simmons opens up on backing Liz Cambage, influence of Doc Rivers and Hall of Fame aspirations
Ben Simmons says he’s ready to help Philadelphia finally fulfil its postseason potential to lift the franchise’s first NBA championship in almost four decades.
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Ben Simmons is yet to dominate the NBA playoffs, but he is ready to silence the doubters.
Fuelled by the pain of failed campaigns, including last year when he watched his Philadelphia 76ers get swept in the first-round while on the sidelines injured, Simmons is primed to perform on the biggest stage.
He also credits a more mature outlook to 76ers coach Doc Rivers pushing him for greater accountability as the team’s star point guard.
Now Simmons, who will be key to the Boomers’ medal hopes at the Tokyo Olympics, is focused solely on helping Philadelphia finally fulfil its postseason potential to lift the franchise’s first championship in almost four decades.
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“I think the injury and me missing the playoffs definitely has made me want to win even more,” Simmons, a Kayo Sport Ambassador, said.
“It was difficult to watch my team play, but I’m always going to be that type of player, regardless of the situations, I always want to win.
“I’m competitive and the No.1 focus is winning.
“With everything going on with the global pandemic and the struggles everyone has been going through, I’m blessed just to be in this position to have another chance to go out there and get a ring.
“I’m feeling really good mentally and physically and ready to go.”
LEARNING THE HARD WAY
The last time Simmons graced the playoff court in 2019, he was involved in one of the NBA’s most iconic postseason moments.
The 76ers reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Raptors in Toronto.
The scores were locked with just three seconds remaining when Toronto star Kawhi Leonard surged past Simmons before pulling up from the corner to drain the game-winning shot over Joel Embiid at the buzzer.
The shot bounced off the rim four times before falling to give the Raptors the 92-90 win and the first winning buzzer-beater in a Game 7 in NBA history.
A shattered Simmons could only watch on in despair.
“Yeah, a little bit, but that is also the game,” he says on reflection.
“I look at that and maybe that was his (Kawhi’s) moment, so congrats to that team. They (Toronto) had great chemistry that year and they really put it together.”
In contrast, Simmons concedes his 76ers weren’t ready to seize the big moment.
“I felt like our team was a little different at that time when we brought in different guys and we were trying to manage everything going on,” he said.
“It was a learning experience. It (the Kawhi basket) was definitely an iconic shot, but at the same time it was just a moment in time and hopefully there will be plenty more opportunities for us.”
READY TO WIN
Today, Philadelphia is a vastly different prospect as a genuine playoff threat.
Former Boston Celtics championship-winning coach Doc Rivers, a host of key signings, and the MVP-type form of big man Joel Embiid have steered the 76ers to the No.1 seed in the East following a 49-23 regular season record.
According to Simmons, the key to Philadelphia’s success is a combination of mindset and experience.
“I think my maturity is a big thing,” he said.
“And then we’ve brought in a couple of vets and some sharpshooters in Danny Green and Seth Curry. Dwight Howard is another vet who just won a ring with the Lakers.
“These guys have the experience that we have been looking for and we’ve been trying to lead by example with them.
“They have set the tone coming in and obviously Joel (Embiid) has been great this year.
“He has just been dominant, and no one has been able to stop him.
“So, for me I’m just trying to do my thing and play my role to help this team get wins.”
TOUGH LOVE
Simmons praises coach Rivers for setting a powerful precedent at Philadelphia when he arrived, in terms of standards and roles.
The former championship-winning Celtics coach has a reputation for his honesty and hoops IQ.
Rivers has particularly challenged Simmons to become a leader and take control of the 76ers as the team’s on-court general from point guard.
“For me, Doc is holding everyone accountable for their roles,” Simmons said.
“I think that was the first thing that he did, putting people in their positions and letting them know this is what we expect from you and what we need from you each night.
“And I think that has been the biggest thing.
“He has given me a huge responsibility of running this team and being the point guard, so he expects a lot from me, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from him coming in here, especially with this team and the players we have now.”
Simmons is even happy to sacrifice his offensive game to “lockdown” the opposition’s best player in a bid to help his team win.
He would love to win the Defensive Player of the Year, but concedes it isn’t his priority.
“It would mean a lot, but at the end of the day I’m trying to win a championship,” he said.
“So, if I’m able to get defensive player of the year and a championship, I’m obviously doing something right.
“In that aspect, it is very motivating for me to even go out there and compete like that.
“Because I know that if I’m doing my job at the highest level, we have a great chance.”
BACKING CAMBAGE
Opals star Liz Cambage recently caused a stir when she called out the AOC for a lack of racial equality in a “whitewashed” photoshoot of Australian athletes.
Simmons is equally passionate about pushing for change, declaring Cambage will always have his support.
“Yeah, I’ve got a lot of respect for Liz,” he said.
“I think her speaking up, and having the courage to do it, is great.
“I support her, and I’ve got her back with that. Anybody that speaks up, whoever they are and if they are famous or not, whatever the situation is I will have those people’s backs.
“So, even if they feel like there is no one supporting them, I’m there regardless of who they are and what they do.
“There definitely has to be change with racial equality, and the time is now.”
FOLLOWING IN JACKSON’S FOOTSTEPS
Simmons’ eyes lit up when Lauren Jackson’s Hall of Fame induction was raised.
He grew up idolising Jackson’s feats in the WNBA, Europe and on the Olympic stage, so he couldn’t be happier to see the Opals legend become the first Australian player to join the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Larry Bird in basketball’s most exclusive group.
“It was incredible – Lauren is more than deserving of it,” he said.
“She has done a lot for Australian basketball over the years and in her career.
“And I know she is continuing to do it. She has been a huge inspiration to any Australian kid, male or female.
“Even myself growing up, knowing who Lauren was, she was also an inspiration to me.
“I’m really happy for her and I look forward to working with her and talking to her a little bit when I get back home.”
Simmons says Jackson’s Hall of Fame honour has inspired him to one day join her in basketball’s most prestigious club.
“Definitely, if I eventually get to Lauren’s level that would be incredible,” he said.
“I mean, I’ve got a long way to go and a lot of things I need to tick off the box.
“The Hall of Fame is the one thing that a lot of people can’t do, so to have the opportunity is really special.
*Kayo will be showing the best of the NBA Playoffs, including every game of the NBA Conference Finals and NBA Finals live and on-demand starting Sunday, May 23 AEST.
Originally published as Ben Simmons opens up on backing Liz Cambage, influence of Doc Rivers and Hall of Fame aspirations
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