Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: January 20 at Philadelphia 76ers

76er to watch – Ben Simmons

As an All-Star starter and perhaps the player best designed to cause the Bucks nightmares in the paint on both ends of the floor, Joel Embiid is the obvious player for this category, but Philadelphia’s star rookie shouldn’t be overlooked.

Although shooting remains a colossal problem for Simmons, he’s putting together an excellent season. The Australian is averaging 16.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks, and yet even those gaudy numbers don’t fully explain the challenges he presents opposing teams in-game.

Simmons may be the NBA’s toughest matchup. While Giannis Antetokounmpo was often referred to as a point guard due to occasional bursts of ball-handling, Simmons is actually spending most of his time playing at that position.

At almost 7’0″ tall, Simmons still possesses the quickness to pick up most point guards, meaning that if the Sixers can push the pace in turning defense to offense, their opponents are left with impossible cross-match decisions.

Giannis may be the best possible foil to Simmons to be found anywhere in the NBA, but with the Greek Freak set to miss out on this occasion, the Bucks may be left without answers for how to stop Simmons.