[IknoBall12Participant]

theres usually a time in most every great players career where they literally have a career defining game. After watching Ben Simmons tonight I’m wondering is this his game. Is this the game that’s gives him the confidence to really takeover or is it just circumstance with Embiid being out. Also what other games come to mind for career defining moments. For me 1 that sticks out was actually a couple of series. It was when lebron James went up against Gilbert arenas and the wizards back in the day. And the other was bron vs the pistons in that playoff game when he went absolutely crazy. Thoughts?

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

While the 2007 game against the pistons was basically lebrons arrival as a big time performer in a playoff setting, I’d argue his true career defining game had to be against the Celtics in game 6 of the ECF in 2012. Down 3-2 and facing elimination against a championship tested opponent, with the backlash of the decision still fresh on everyone’s minds, he came out and gave a performance for the ages and basically refused to let his team lose. This was when his legacy was still in doubt, he hadn’t won a ring yet, and he was being labeled a choker after his performance in the finals in 2011. That game completely changed the narrative of his career. Of course, he’s had other huge performances that would be legacy defining for just about any other player (including his game 7s of the finals in 2013 and 2016.) However, that 2012 game, given all that was at stake and the way he basically silenced the critics still stands out to me. 

And, as for Simmons, while I was impressed with the performance and response tonight, career defining games don’t happen in the first round against lower seeded teams.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Simmons performance was impressive tonight. He was dominant and made very few mistakes except for stepping out of bounds when getting a pass from Butler in the corner 3 position. His physicality and agressive attitude is what impressed me the most. With that being said I dont think you can have a career defining game playing against these Nets.

That team is really all over the place, defence is non-existant and even the rotations are scattered. Guys couldnt even decide who to lead the team and it was obvious they shouldve gone to Levert on every possession yet he barely got any touches and didnt even play 30 minutes. It seems like Brooklyn’s gameplan is just to outshoot teams and those long rebounds are a killer against the 76ers. Then you have Reddick playing like he did tonight an all of a sudden their halfcourt is unstoppable.

Reddick and Simmons chemistry is beautiful basketball.

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 I’d like to see a team where they truly surround Ben with a roster full of elite shooters. If he develops a jumpshot he is easily the closest thing we have seen to Lebron.

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