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Tim BontempsESPN
In their first game after not being included in an exchange for James Harden, All-Star Ben Simmons made a triple-double – 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists – in 34 minutes on Thursday to take the 76ers to 125 – 108 victory over the Miami Heat in Philadelphia.
After that, he considered trade negotiations to be only part of an NBA player’s life.
“I mean, this is a deal,” said Simmons, when asked if he was happy with Harden’s discussions after the 2018 NBA MVP was negotiated with Brooklyn Nets in a deal that was made official on Thursday. “Things like that happen. The only thing I can control is, you know, how I approach my training, games and day-to-day life. So, you know, I’m just trying to be professional and do the right thing and help my team to get victories. “
Philadelphia – whose basketball operations president, Daryl Morey, acquired Harden as general manager of the Houston Rockets in the fall of 2012 – and Brooklyn have been top candidates for star guarding in recent weeks.
Ultimately, however, Houston chose a package from Brooklyn that featured a boat full of draft choices rather than one from Philadelphia led by Simmons.
When asked on Thursday if he felt the need to discuss what happened to Morey or anyone else in the administration, Simmons said he can only control what he can control.
“I come here and work every day,” said Simmons. “So my job is to improve and get victories – all the other things I can’t control. As I said before, all I can control is how I get into my mindset, training and on the ground, and I had a lot of fun tonight I am blessed I can play the game I love every day at the highest level in the world … There are much worse things happening in the world, so, you know, I am in a blessed position If you told me I would never play the game again, it would be a different story. “
When asked if he was happy to still be in Philadelphia, Simmons added, “Of course.”
Earlier, Sixers coach Doc Rivers praised Simmons’ defensive effort on a night when he also had three steals in addition to his triple-double.
“I thought tonight he is who he has to be every night,” said Rivers. “I love the way he played. I loved how he played under control. He didn’t push, he took breaches when they were there. … He was a presence on the ground for us, and not just on the offensive side, but on the defensive end, It takes us to a different level when he plays like this. “