Ben Simmons sends message with offensive explosion

BEN Simmons produced his best ever performance in the NBA, spitting fire at the offensive end to lead his team’s scoring against Miami.

Unstoppable.

BEN Simmons has produced his best ever offensive display, leading the 76ers in scoring during their win over the Miami Heat on Saturday (AEDT).

The Aussie star was in everything during a first half “offensive explosion” where he put down 14 points.

Again starting as the team’s point guard, despite his impressive 2.08m frame, Simmons shot the lights out in his most convincing and well-rounded display at the offensive end.

The 21-year-old shot nine of 11 from the field to finish with 19 points, but it was his ability to find a way into the paint, despite Heat defenders dropping off, that highlighted his performance.

His 19-points, his highest points tally this pre-season, came from just 18 minutes on court with coach Brett Brown choosing to rest his rookie-of-the-year prospect at the end of both halves.

Simmons was on track to eclipse the 25-point mark before Brown decided to give him an early night in the third quarter.

The jam.

His statline of 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists and zero turnovers, despite leading the Sixers’ back court, was the biggest talking point of his team’s 119-95 win in Kansas.

He combined with shooter JJ Redick, who also finished with 19 points with five three-point bombs, to see the 76ers to a 97-75 lead at three-quarter time before both teams decided to trial their bench in the final 12 minutes.

Simmons’ display certainly made Heat coach Erik Spoelstra sit up and take notice as his team struggled to find a match up tall enough to contain the Louisiana State University product in the paint, but quick enough to handle him around the perimeter.

“The skill set certainly is unique, somebody that’s that big, that has that kind of vision, is ambidextrous,” Spoelstra said after the game.

“He makes other players better. He has the size and envision to pass over the top. Those kinds of talents don’t come along every single day.”

Philadephia coach Brett Brown said it was no surprise to see Simmons shine under all the pressure that has come with Brown’s decision to start him at point guard.

“It catches people off guard when you say you’re going to give a 6-10 guy the ball and you’re going to call him a point guard,” Brown said, after the win.

“But he’s our point guard right now. You give him the ball and off you go. And he’s embraced it.”

Simmons’ first half highlight reel lit-up social media.

14 PTS & 5 REBS for Ben Simmons in the 1st half. #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/WBwBb7zvvL

— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2017

Ben Simmons got 40-40 vision pic.twitter.com/9GBpBkr4hP

— Drew Corrigan (@Dcorrigan50) October 14, 2017

Ben Simmons skies high for the alley oop! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/ETzaZBvkVm

— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2017

With this slam, Ben Simmons now has 14 points in the first half. pic.twitter.com/v5g3IGc17V

— NBC Sports Philly (@NBCSPhilly) October 14, 2017

Simmons also showed he has the confidence to shoot the ball from range if needed, knocking down two mid-range jumpers.

He will carry concern about his shot from range into the Sixers’ season-opener against Washington on Thursday (AEDT), but if he can find a way to build consistency in his jumper, the NBA should be very afraid, based on his 18 minutes against Miami.

Ben Simmons is dominating this game without taking a shot outside of the paint. Will be unstoppable if he develops a consistent jumper.

— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) October 14, 2017

Really thought it would take a lot longer than this before we saw a Sixers game where Ben Simmons was the best player. Happy to be mistaken.

— Andrew Unterberger (@AUgetoffmygold) October 14, 2017