ALL-STAR BEN TURNS FOCUS TO HIS 76ERS
BASKETBALL: Ben Simmons entered the NBA All-Star break as the first Australian to be chosen for the league’s showcase event, and exited it after collecting 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists in Team LeBron’s win over Team Giannis.
The towering point guard has shaken off criticism of his shot – or lack thereof – to improve in almost every statistical category on his rookie season.
He knows the Philadelphia 76ers are a work in progress, with five trades involving 16 players since November, but is now on a mission to lead them to NBA glory.
The Aussie has waved goodbye to troubled fellow former No.1 pick Markelle Fultz, but said hello to All-Star Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. “This is a new team,” Simmons said. “There are things we’re going to work on, things we need to get better at, but it’s a good test for us to see where we’re at with this new team.
“But I’m excited with everyone we have and to see how far we can go.
“I think we’re in a good position, looking forward to just building more chemistry with these guys we recently just made the trade.”
Philly is fifth in the Eastern Conference, behind Toronto and Milwaukee, the surprising Indiana and arch rival the Boston Celtics.
But with a starting five of Simmons, JJ Redick, Butler, Harris and superstar centre Joel Embiid, the Sixers lay claim to perhaps the best line-up in the game – outside of the all-conquering Golden State Warriors.