After beating the Mavericks yesterday, Philly held Luca dances to 19 points, with Ben Simmons serving as the primary defender.

Here's what Simmons said after the game.

My i.

Q.

I feel like it's very high.

I try to make the right place every time down the court.

Um, it's a mismatch nearly every time when when I step on the floor, so I'm trying to make my teammates better.

I'm trying to be the best point that I can be, um, and lead this team the right way.

And defensively.

That's I feel like that's just effort.

I do feel like I'm the best defensive player in the league.

Um, you know, I can guard one through five.

Yeah, Simmons definitely put the clamps on Luca last night, and here are some of the numbers to prove it.

Lucas shot 33% when guarded by Simmons, compared to 57% from the field when guarded by anyone else.

Really?

So Richard Simmons says he's the best defender in the league.

You buying that?

Well, look, I I believe that he believes that 100%.

And this is one thing that he said, name another player that typically can guard one through five.

Maybe like Draymond Green because you don't understand.

There's a sign of difference with Ben Simmons, but also Draymond Green.

There's probably about five or six guys that can do in the league what he does.

And look if he believes he's the best, I'm not gonna argue with him.

No, he is the best, and he should be the front runner for defensive player of the year.

When you look at Ben Simmons at 6 10 £250 physical specimen, he's fast.

He knows how to use angles.

He's great at shooting passing lane.

Last night he was on Luca heels like a past socks, picking them up at the half football, and I get fighting to get up over screens.

He can't switch one through five and look in my eyes.

Right now, he is the best defensive player in the league and he's the front runner for defensive player of the year.

I don't know why are just making their face, but this is all facts.

I'm making the face because you said on his heels like a pair of socks.

It's funny.

I mean, that's a good analogy.

That was a great analogy.

I've heard a lot of country lingo in my day.

That one was a good one.

Well, listen, our guy Hambo uh, at ESPN Research tweeted this out today.

Luca Don Cheech when guarded by Ben Simmons.

According to Second Spectrum 47 half court matchups.

10 points, three assists, four turnovers.

That's pretty good stuff, man.

Richard.

I don't think there's any question about that.

No, there is no question like, I wasn't trying to make any arguments against Ben Simmons here in this point, but there's also guys that are very different.

They have a different skill set, like a Rudy Gobert that I've wanted like a Draymond green.

They're not built the same.

But currently right now with where Philly stands and how he has played this year, I agree with Perk.

He should be a front runner for defensive player of the year Perc perc.

Let me jump in here.

So who are the guys that you thinking guard?

One through five?

Obviously Ben is one of them.

Draymond is another one uh, you know why you mentioned?

I think it's It's certainly possible.

LeBron at times has done that, certainly throughout his career.

Bama to buy you, maybe another guy that can do that stuff.

There's not a lot of guys perk.

I mean, you have Anthony Davis and may be honest, but when I look at being the difference between Ben and everyone else at that size is his ability to fight and get over screens.

Like when he's he's going.

Like when he was going Luca last night.

It wasn't like he was switching pick and rolls.

He was fighting to get up over screens, and you don't really see that out of a guy that 16 £250.

And the great thing about being if he do get beat off the dribble.

He is great at chase down blocks in the half, Court says.

So That's why I give the edge to Ben Simmons right now and look, he's taking pride in doing it.

This is not the first time that I've seen them do this.

He's been doing this all season long.

Yeah, that's why he's an All Star and that's why he's one of the better players in the league.

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