Kenny Smith does not believe Simmons can guard Bill or Ross originally appeared on NBC Sports in Washington.
Now that the Magicians have snatched the 8th seed in the East and first-round meeting with the Sixers, it's time to start thinking about matches on Earth.
For The Wizards, figuring out how to slow down Joel Embiid will determine their ultimate success in the series, and in the Sixers' case, containing Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook will be high on their priority list. Ben Simmons, the best defensive player nominee, is playing a major role in defending Washington's back court, but one analyst doesn't believe he's up to the task.
TNT's Kenny Smith said Thursday night, "Ben Simmons, I don't think he can always play on the ocean with [Bill or Westbrook]". "I was a decent scorer, but if a guy aged 6-11 tried to guard me, I would feel like I had the advantage. I don't care if Dennis Rodman turns away from me, I have obsessed over him. He's too big to move him. He footed on a consistent basis every match.
"For a play, for a few plays, but if he takes me to the whole pitch as if he has to do with Russell Westbrook and Bill, that's impossible. These two guys are very cunning, very good, very athletic [for Simmons] to do that."
Simmons' main claim to fame on the defensive side is his ability to patrol all five locations on Earth at the elite level, especially the core ball handlers. We've seen him lock up All-Star talents like Luka Doncic and Damian Lillard, but Smith seems to love Beal and Westbrook in that particular match.
If Simmons Beal and Westbrook charted on a regular basis and went the way Smith expected, the Wizards would likely be in a good place to make some noise in the series. According to Shaquille O'Neal, the only chance witches have is that their star guards walk away.
O'Neill said, "[Westbrook and Bale] should lose their minds." "There are no matches, rate every possession, high-point games for a chance. If one or two of those players go out, they have a chance. They don't say they can win, but if they come out, they'll have a shot."
The game 1 of Wizards vs. Sixers on Sundays at 1 p.m. In Philadelphia. It would be Washington's first playoff game since 2018, when they lost in the first round to the Raptors.
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