With the supposed rift between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers continuing to widen after the goalkeeper told the team he no longer wanted to be part of the team and would not attend training camp, Danny Green appears to be on the move.
The Sixers dominated the Simmons news cycle entertainment offerings, but without a deal. But with the addition of Tyrese Maxey to the Simmons rumor mill, a split seems inevitable with each passing day.
Danny Green appeared in Sports Illustrated Podcast “The Crossover” And he shared his opinion on what the Sixers should do to adapt to Simmons’ absence. Defensively he talked about how his role personally affected Howard Beck.
On the crossover: very frank MustafaHosny Oh God, Amen He discusses his free agency, the shrinking middle-class market in the NBA, Philly’s title hopes and, yes, Ben Simmons’ future.
Listen/Subscribe: https://t.co/lhCvpA2us5 pic.twitter.com/YS1JW3oeJB
– Howard Beck August 31, 2021
“Defensively, I might have become the primary defender,” Green said. “It doesn’t mean it’s a problem or a problem for me, but we have one less defender without him [Ben]. Now Me and Matisse [Thybulle]We’re not saying the other players aren’t playing defense, but you’re talking about the key defenders, Ben was a big part of that and part of our defence.
Despite the offensive struggles in his game, Simmons checks a lot of chests while on the ground, especially on the defensive end. Penn finished second in last season’s Best Defensive Player vote behind Rudy Gobert. It is widely known in the NBA that Simmons is the most versatile defender in the league with his ability to switch seamlessly and protect all five positions. The Sixers’ defense is very different without Simmons applying pressure and serving as a defensive leader, and that fact is not lost on Green.
“No disrespect for Rudy Gobert, he’s had a great year, as always, and over the past three years, but we thought Ben was able to protect one to five and set the tone for us. But if he’s gone that changes a lot, not just offensively but Defensively, as well as for me. It depends on what we get back in return.”
So, as the saga plays out to Simmons themselves, the Sixers’ defensive end is where the team and Greene know they’ll be missed.
