Sixers Bell Ringer: Game 1

Win or lose, we are going to have a new feature after every Sixers game this season: the Sixers Bell Ringer. In honor of the Sixers’ locker room bell-ringing ceremony, the Bell Ringer will be your chance to vote on the team’s star of the game. It can be the player who had the most dominant stat line, someone who hit the most clutch shot of the game, a guy who held the opposing team’s best player in check, or a Sixer who made a major contribution while coming back from injury or getting a first crack in the rotation. Basically, whoever most exemplifies that certain Bell Ringer je ne sais quoi.

Here are your candidates from the Sixers’ 105-87 loss in Boston.

Ben Simmons: 19 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks

Simmons taking the ball coast-to-coast and scoring through, around, and over Boston defenders was Philadelphia’s best and most consistent form of offense on the night. He was also very active defensively, and had some top-notch passes. On the downside, Simmons’ revamped free throw shooting did not show immediate dividends (5-11 FT).

Joel Embiid: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

The Process was the team’s most reliable source of offense in half-court sets, and flashed some improved conditioning getting up and down the floor in transition (although he did eventually look tired). The rim protection was solid per usual (even discounting a lucky Jaylen Brown banked-in blocked dunk), and Embiid held his own with the Sixers employing a switch-everything defensive strategy. Disappointingly, Embiid still struggled to take care of the ball, turning it over 5 times, many of which were easily avoidable errors.

JJ Redick: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

It wasn’t one of Redick’s best shooting performances, but the Sixers’ new 6th man was the only guy on the team hitting any shots outside the paint. As one might have expected, the offensive spacing was much better with Redick on the floor.

Amir Johnson: 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Play of the night (at least in terms of unexpected greatness)?