Stat of the Day:Leading off what will be a very Ben Simmons-centric edition of the ‘Coors Lite Summer Six Pack,’ the number ’18’ was arguably one of the most eye-catching figures to emerge from Sunday’s 83-70 loss to Chicago. It represented the point total that Simmons – 2016’s top overall draft pick – posted against Chicago. The output was his highest to-date in four summer league appearances.After missing his first three shots in the first quarter, Simmons was locked in the rest of the way. He went three for three from the field in the second period, one for two in the third, then finished the night by connecting on four of six attempts in the fourth. During his most dominant scoring stretch since turning pro, the LSU product strung together four baskets in succession – a dunk, reverse lay-up, 15-foot jumper, and 21-footer – midway through the final frame.Counting Sunday’s performance, Simmons is now averaging 10.5 points per game in summer league action. The seven buckets he sunk versus the Bulls equaled his total from two games in Salt Lake City, and Saturday’s debut in Las Vegas.Notable Quotable:Since the Sixers arrived in Las Vegas Friday, Ben Simmons has generated plenty of attention, from both fans and media alike. Saturday, for example, when a crowd of roughly 17,000 packed the Thomas & Mack Center to see Simmons and the Sixers battle Brandon Ingram (this year’s number two) and the Los Angeles Lakers, the building buzzed with just about every touch Simmons received. Following Sunday’s game, as was also the case Saturday, Simmons was surrounded by a throng of reporters, eager to pick his brain about the early stages of his NBA career. When asked Sunday morning at Sixers’ shootaround about the excitement he and the Sixers might be able to generate this season, the rookie delivered a succinct and confident response.
“We’re bringing it back. We’re bringing it back, yeah, for sure. We’ve got a young team, everyone’s working, I’m looking forward to it. We’ve gotten better every game, our chemistry’s growing, so it’s exciting.”Did You See That?:Ben Simmons shined down the stretch in Sunday’s fourth quarter. Here’s a look back at the spurt of eight straight points he strung together for the Sixers.Ballin Ben. #SummerSixers https://t.co/CXMFShdQXY— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) July 11, 2016 #SummerSixers Sounds:During the second quarter of Sunday’s contest, Sixers Chief Executive Officer Scott O’Neil and swingman Robert Covington – who had been sitting next to one another courtside – threw on some headsets, grabbed a couple microphones, and joined our Sixers Summer League Stream internet audio broadcast for an extensive chat. To listen to the conversation, click the link below.Around Town:Thon Maker proved to be one of this spring’s most intriguing prospects. One factor was his size — the Sudanese big man is listed at 7’1” tall, 223 pounds. Another reason for the curiosity surrounding Maker was the path he took to the NBA draft pool. Maker supplied the league with evidence that he formally graduated high school in 2015, which cleared the way for him to be eligible for this year’s draft, despite not having attended college. Maker ultimately went 10th overall to Milwaukee on June 23rd. Sunday marked his second Samsung NBA Summer League appearance, and he posted 17 points and 17 rebounds in 33 minutes of action in the Bucks’ loss to a team of select NBA Development League players.On Tap:Monday will be the Sixers’ first off-day since starting their Samsung NBA Summer League slate last Saturday. The team will resume its Las Vegas itinerary Tuesday at 8:30 PM EST versus the Golden State Warriors.
Ballin Ben. #SummerSixers https://t.co/CXMFShdQXY
