Home NBA Doc Rivers says Ben Simmons is a ‘lock for DPOY’

Doc Rivers says Ben Simmons is a ‘lock for DPOY’

Doc Rivers had high praise for Ben Simmons recently, suggesting that the All-Star forward has the Defensive Player of the Year award locked up.

During his appearance on The Jump with Rachel Nichols, Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce, the Sixers’ head coach praised Simmons for his defensive versatility.

“Ben Simmons is a lock for DPOY. He guards every position. He’s everywhere. He literally at times swallows players,” Rivers said.

The point forward from Australia has the ability to guard opponents from 1 through 5, showing off his incredible versatility on the defensive end.

With Simmons on the floor, the Sixers are allowing 107.9 points per 100 possessions, while the dynamic forward averages 1.6 steals and an NBA-best 3.8 deflections per game.

If the Sixers’ star continues on this track, then there is no reason he could not win the award this season. However, with Embiid out for the next few weeks, Philadelphia might need him to shine in both ends of the floor.

Simmons averages 16.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game for the Sixers, who are leading the East with the conference best 27-12 record.

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