Ben Simmons takes off on first night of NBA action

Australian hoops star Ben Simmons shone on the first night under the bright lights of the NBA.

Ben Simmons in his NBA debut for the Philadelphia 76ers in Washington, DC yesterday.

The artful left hand gripped the ball and sent it sailing from one end of the court to the other. Ben Simmons’s delivery to JJ Redick in the opening minute of his NBA debut was unhurried and efficient, hinting at the bewitching lightness to be found in his fingertips. What a beautifully deft pass that was from the Australian in hot pink Nike shoes. Air Simmons.

One year, three months and 25 days after he slapped a Philadelphia 76ers cap on his head at the NBA draft and started plotting his introduction to big-time ball, Simmons finally jogged out against the Washington Wizards yesterday, while his mother, Julie, and his father, NBL stalwart Dave Simmons, wore 76ers’ t-shirts in courtside seats. Dave always said he wanted Ben to have the opportunities he was denied. Here was one now. Tip-off.

“I’m excited,” Simmons junior said before his rookie year began with an exceptional double-double performance in a 120-115 loss at Capital One Arena. “I’m trying not to make this bigger than it is. It’s our first game and we’ve got a lot of games coming up. I’ve been preparing for this my whole life. I’ve just been trying to get ready mentally off the court, and physically, by taking care of my body.

“It’s a big night for me because it’s my first game but I just want to see the team do well. I’m not worried about the individual stats or anything like that. I’m just worried about how we play as a team.”

Asked if the Cleveland Cavaliers’ all-time great LeBron James had offered any pre-game advice, Simmons said: “That’s the enemy right now, until the season’s done. During the summer, he gave me a lot of advice. He’s a great person off the court. He’s definitely one of the guys I’m trying to learn off.”

The 76ers were beaten but Simmons had a commendable first night at the office. The jump shots and free throws might prove to be glitchy but this was a gorgeous performance that oozed class and carried the message that something big might have just begun. He played point guard. And centre. And forward.

Rave reviews ensued. His 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals were top notch but it was the calm proficiency and blessedly natural instincts/court craft from the 21-year-old that caught the eye. He’s a thoroughly unique athlete. There’s a mesmerising quality to his work. He’s worth a follow on more important platforms than Instagram.

“It felt like I was playing 2K,” Simmons said in reference to the NBA-themed video game. “Just looking at Joel Embiid out there with the lights on his jersey, I was like, ‘Man, I’m actually here.’

“I was using my size and speed to my advantage and I think I did a good job at that. I could have done it a few more times. Maybe we would have won. I just know this team can be special and I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can get.”

76ers coach Brett Brown said: “How about Ben Simmons’s first game in the NBA? Really, there were times he could have finished even more. I feel that his first game was really, really exceptional. Physically, we all see what he is as an athlete, and I think that his growth path, his improvement scale, can be off the charts.”

Simmons will get what he deserves in the NBA. The marathon 82-match regular season ensures there will be flat nights, grinding nights, electrifying nights, disappointing nights, spirited nights and memorable nights when he effortlessly plays the house down.

Olympians are frazzled by the need to nail their one opportunity every four years but Simmons has time to work his way into a schedule that will have him on the court three or four nights a week between now and April. There’s no hurry to prove himself, and he plays like it.

His first home game at Philly is tomorrow at 10am (AEDT) against the Boston Celtics. And then he plays the following day at Toronto. And then two days later at Detroit. And three days later back at home. And so on. The show is on the road.