Ben Simmons: Legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate?

The Sixers are 3-1 and while an import of shooting around the team’s stars is a major contributor to their success, Ben Simmons‘ defense stands out on the other end of the floor.

Ben Simmons has played 38 minutes and 9 seconds of defense this season.

In that time frame:

- Opponents have attempted 45 shots converting only 17, for a low 37.78%.

- On threes opponents have attempted 15, shots converting only 4, for 26.67%. pic.twitter.com/S0Jp1hrlcp
— Sixers Nation (@PHLSixersNation) December 30, 2020

On a nightly basis, Simmons is destroying opponents’ offensive game. Russell Westbrook was 9-for-22 in the opener, struggling to produce when Simmons was on him. Against the Knicks over the weekend, it was R.J. Barrett’s turn (2-for-15 in the field against the Sixers). On Tuesday night, Simmons made Pascal Siakam look like Charles Barkley on a playground in Space Jam.

https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1344318606184755206

Simmons currently is +1400 to win the Defensive Player of the Year award (PointsBet), behind five other players including Joel Embiid (+800). Anthony Davis is the co-favorite to win the award alongside Rudy Gobert (+225). Giannis Antetokounmpo (+600) and Bam Adebayo (+1200) are also among the top-5 candidates, according to their perceived odds.