Ben Simmons needs to be considered as one of NBA’s great younger players

Ben Simmons (Google Images)

He is only 23 years of age, but Philadelphia 76ers star point guard Ben Simmons of Melbourne, Australia is making some serious noise in the National Basketball Association for his exceptional all-around play on the court. On Tuesday, Simmons notched his 28th career triple double as the 76ers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 110-103. In 42 minutes and 43 seconds of action, Simmons notched 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. It was also the seventh triple double Simmons has had in 2019-20.

What Simmons has been able to achieve in his first three NBA seasons is significant. According to ESPN,there have only been two players in NBA history who have had more triple doubles than Simmons. The great Oscar Robertson of Charlotte, Tennessee, had 87 triple doubles with the Cincinnati Royals in his first three NBA seasons from 1960 to 1963. Then, Magic Johnson of Lansing, Michigan had 31 triple doubles with the Los Angeles Lakers in his first three NBA seasons from 1979 to 1982.

Simmons has been an integral player this season in the 76ers starting five. He is averaging 16.9 points per game, 8.3 assists per game and 7.9 rebounds per game. Simmons is also exemplifying outstanding defense as the Australian leads the NBA with 2.2 steals per game. He also has a respectable field goal percentage of .584 and a three-point percentage of .333.

In order for Simmons to be a stronger player, there needs to be improvement from the free throw line. He is only at .628 in 2019-20 and .595 for his career. From the point guard position, more is expected from the charity stripe.

Now it appears the foot injury that Simmons suffered and forced him out of his rookie season of 2016-17, is long gone. Over the last two-seasons, he has been an all-star. Now the job for Simmons, is to help get the 76ers into a position where they can make some noise down the stretch. Philadelphia is currently at 34 wins and 21 losses, and have the fifth best record in the East.