Posted Up! | Ben Simmons

team's athletic training staff, will get into the tunnel. Before being sidelined in that game Milwaukee, Simmons was enjoying the best all around season of his young career. As timing would have it, the Aussie gave a promising update about how he was feeling just hours before the Sixers took the floor for the final time before the hiatus. I have no pain. I feel very strong. You know everything

going on right now. I feel got very confident. The suspension of the NBA season has totally reset the timeline for Simmons or turn to play and also has given the superstar chance to use his platform to do good. Based on the sounds of quarantine, Simmons seems pretty exciting. The one thing I need to say to get ready because once the season started back up with coming Back Straw,

this is Posted Up with Ben Simmons. Welcome to the latest installment of Post It Up, a mini cast series here on the broadcast checking in on the seventy Sixers during the hiatus. Last we saw the Sixers, we didn't see Ben Simmons, at least in uniform. He was rehabbing a nerve and pingement in his back which he suffered in the Sixers February twenty second visit to the Box. So when we had the chance to connect with Simmons a few weeks ago, the first question we had to

ask was obvious, how are you feeling. I'm good, I'm doing well, stay staying busy. Indeed he has been. Not only is Simmons continuing his training during the NBA suspension, he's also had some significant life changes. The twenty three year old recently moved and he's also welcome to new fur covered member to his family. That's been a lot of a lot of my time with my dogs. Actually just got a new puppy, so that's given me by At the time we spoke, Ben hadn't yet settled on

a name for a second dog. We do know it's a type of Italian mastiff and it's a sheet His other dog is a one hundred forty pound cane Corso Bain Maximos. What else has Simmons been up to? I played video games and work out, and I watched a lot of old games and footage. In terms of Simmons' own tape this season, there has been plenty to like. He continued to be the master of his offensive domain, a paint driver, post up powerhouse, cracking out over thirteen

points in the lane per game, a major slam by Simmons. Simmons, of course, is a gifted facilitator. We know that he racked among the top five in the league and assists at the time of the hiatus. This year. He's also shown signs of improvement from the foulne and most notably of all, he was an enthusiastic all league caliber stopper

from the jump of the season. His two point one steals per game remained at the top of the league, and a steel by Simmons scores at Ben Simmons the NBA later in steals with Joel Embiid in and out of the lineup for the Sixers. In the two months before the coronavirus outbreak, Simmons was at his peak the thirty four twelve twelve five Steel game at Brooklyn out that sis his big trip up by seven. Benny had

Simmons scores it again. Simmons has got thirty four. They were also the back to back triple doubles he had had of his second straight All Star Game appearance. Simmons gets it. I'll actually say the lays it end. I'm pretty set up five ten Simmons. During simmons midwinter tear, there was one particular performance that stood out among the rest. Saturday night primetime spotlight on ABC, the league's biggest matchup

of the week. South Philadelphia was the site, and Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were in town, hooked away from behind by Simmons. I love Ben Simmons, who plays harder as a starter every night. Matt was a gushing Jeff Van Gundy on the ABC broadcast. In so many ways, that home game against the Lakers captured some of the best of Simmons in year three tone center, downhill,

driving force, defensive, game changer leader. He had three steals in the first three minutes, all while guarding Lebron James. That's some impressive stuff, Ben and I look back on that night during our recent zoom chat. Personally, for me, he's going up against Lebrin every time I play. You know, I just want to compete at that level and try

to that every night. So, you know, playing against a guy like that, you know, makes you step up, give it that little extra that you need, you know, in games like that, in situations like that, whenever you're competing against a great player or a team friend of you out there who might not remember the details from that January twenty fifth game. For as much as Simmons made his mark early with his defense, he left the last punishing impression in the second half. With his offense. Simmons

exploded out of the gates in the third quarter. Then he proceeded to unleash more mean, mugging, rim attacking havoc in the fourth quarter to clench the victors. Simmons with an outside right left hand dribble green right there, now, Ben turns the double goes in head lays it up pet god Bet Simmons on Danny Green he would not be denied, and the Sixers have built up a fourteen. Pointly, there's no better place to do something like that than the city of Philadelphia. That's what I missed the most,

just playing in front of the fans. Honestly, that's so much fun, just, you know, having the support of Philadelphia and just playing a historic arena for a team like that. It's just incredible to me. Whether you're a franchise player or a season ticket member with seats at the top of Section two seventeen eight, Nostalgia is an understandable and

relatable mood these days. Hearing Simmons speaks so affectionally, not just about seventy Sixers fans, but all of Philadelphia makes you pause for a moment and think about his relationship with the city. He's been here almost four years now, crazy right, and during this period no gesture has spoken to his commitment to the Delaware Valley more than the Philly Pledge. Simmons launched the nonprofit Social Awareness campaign shortly

after COVID nineteen hit. I think it was just one of those things where I was just trying to see what I was able to do, what way I could help. So the Philly Pledge is set up based on pretty much easier for people to send their donations and make sure you know, things are going to the right places

and the people of need. So the Philly Pledge is giving people the opportunities to do that and just you know, knowing it's the Philly Pledges is a part of this community and is going towards the right things for people is an amazing thing. Simmons rallied a slew of influencers with Philadelphia ties. Rheese Hoskins from the Phillies, Claude Drew from the Flyers, zach Ertz from the Eagles, his wife Julie,

the accomplished soccer player. Simmons also got a handful of his teammates on board, as well as Julius Serving, Kevin Hard and Little Dicky. I'm glad there's a lot of people who joined onto the Pledge, which was great and it just shows, you know, a togetherness and that's how that's that's what Philly is. You know, since day when I've been here, Philadelphia embraced me and you know, I'm

brace Philadelphia back in times of crisis. Simmons has acted quickly before, just as recently as January even it was around that time that wildfires swept throughout parts of Western Australia and other portions of the Australian coastline. Someone has to do it, you know, especially if you have the opportunity to do something to help people feed them, clothe, teach or whatever whatever people need, like the simple things in life that we take for granted a lot of

the time. If we're able to give those back, it's it's huge, you know. It means a lot to people who are in need and who need, you know, certain things in their lives. Across the board, whether through words, actions, or how he was competing and conducting himself on the court, this season, Simmons showed evolution and growth. It's hard to

just come into the against our leading. You kind of have to learn the ropes and figure a few things out before you can take a team a certain place on one and everybody to be on the same page. That comes with time. But I think my leadership has gotten a lot better. I think a lot of guys trust in me. It comes down to guy's expecting each other and listening to each other. How far could Simmons take the Sixers if you were able to finish out what's already been a career year at full strength. That's

part of the story he's still hoping to write. I'm excited to get back. We're gonna be rolling against I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait to put in that jersey again, Philly. This has been posted up with Ben Simmons. Be sure to check out Lauren Rosen's article about Ben that's also part of our posted up Highest Content series, and if you missed our first installment last week, go back and check it out. It takes a look at Josh Richardson. Thanks to Lauren and Kristin Crosby for

their help producing this episode. Next time we'll post up with Tobias Harris. We don't know if we're gonna be able to play in front of fans. If we can, that would be just amazing. If we can't, it would just be good to go out there and represent something that's ruined us. On from home from TV and I have a chance to win a championship. I'm Brian Seltzer. Thanks for listening. To be sure to search seventy six ers podcast Network for all your sixers podcasting needs wherever

you get your podets. Before I get out of your hair, just one more thing I wanted to bring up. Novocare Rehabilitation is offering physical therapy from the comfort and safety of your home in this time of social distancing. Through their new tile A Rehab program, Novacare will virtually bring their services to you so you can heal, build strength, and get back to the things you love. Tell a rehablets you easily connect with one of Novocare's licensed therapists

through web based technology that's hip A compliant. For more information, visit novacare dot com.