Fansided

5 takeaways from the Celtics shutting down the 76ers process

By Jeremy Lambert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 5: As Boston Celtics Al Horford, left, was doing a post-game interview, teammate Jayson Tatum jumped in and called him, "Playoff Al" before running away. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on May 5, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 5: As Boston Celtics Al Horford, left, was doing a post-game interview, teammate Jayson Tatum jumped in and called him, "Playoff Al" before running away. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on May 5, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Ben Simmons is going to be just fine

A lot was made of Simmons’ one-point performance in Game 2 of the series. It happens. Great players, especially rookies, struggle. When you’re up against a defense as good as the Celtics, buckets are harder to come by.

Don’t worry about Simmons.

He looked good in the other four games of the series. The Celtics did different things against him and were able to throw a wave of athletic and rangy defenders at him. But he still got to the rim and made the right pass.

His lack of shooting was a problem all season. It didn’t matter. He’s still going to be Rookie of the Year. Those problems are just highlighted more in playoff series when you’re facing the same team every night. The Celtics were able to make him more uncomfortable than he’s been all season thanks to a great game plan and proper execution.

Don’t worry.

He’s 21-years-old. The shooting will eventually come. Jason Kidd had a Hall of Fame career despite not being able to shoot until later in his career. LeBron James is the second-best player of all-time and the knock against him was always on his lack of shooting. Much like Kidd and James, Simmons can still score despite not having an outside shot.

Most importantly, he makes his teammates better. His vision and IQ is up there with some of the best playmakers in the game.  He’s going to learn from this series and be better because of it. He’s still a rookie. Unless you’re asking Donovan Mitchell.

Also, let’s not have the clutch failures of Joel Embiid define his career, ok?

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