Sixers Bell Ringer: Game 33

For a refresher on what constitutes a Bell Ringer, please reference the initial post.

Bell Ringer Season Standings:

Joel Embiid - 11
Ben Simmons - 8
Jimmy Butler - 5
JJ Redick - 4
Robert Covington - 1
Dario Saric - 1
T.J. McConnell - 1
Furkan Korkmaz - 1

After a season-worst loss in San Antonio Monday night, the Sixers bounced back with a dominating 131-109 victory back home over the Knicks. To your Bell Ringer options, of which there were many:

Joel Embiid: 24 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block

Embiid was the straw that stirred the drink early in this game, repeatedly powering his way to the rim with little resistance, and reaching 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting in the first quarter. The Knicks started immediately doubling on the touch, which led to some wide-open shots for Joel’s teammates, including a 4-point play from Furkan Korkmaz to end the opening frame. On one play later in the game, Embiid split a double team with a behind-the-back dribble and nailed a baby hook. It was Process nirvana.

JoJo also played a huge role in preventing Enes Kanter from grabbing any offensive rebounds, or being a factor on the glass at either end with only six total boards (it also helped that Philadelphia rarely missed). Plus, Sixers fans will always take only 26 minutes played for the big man in a win. The only major mistake Embiid made on the evening was dropping an F-bomb during the on-court interview after the game.

Jimmy Butler: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals

After a dreadful shooting performance in San Antonio, Jimmy Butler started completely differently against the Knicks, shooting 4-for-4 from the field in the opening minutes. He was incredibly aggressive on both ends of the floor, not only hunting his own shot, but picking up the Robert Covington Memorial conch for deflections. Post-game, Brett Brown was quick to bring up Jimmy’s defensive efforts as much as anything else the team accomplished.

There was a stretch later in the game when the team went to Butler in the post on a handful of possessions, as he created good looks for himself and his teammates around the perimeter. The 10 free throw attempts were his second highest total as a Sixer. The red headbands he and Ben sported were apropos of his aggressive performance.

Ben Simmons: 13 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

After the game, Simmons downplayed the significance of triple-doubles and was pretty emphatic that he didn’t think he played a good game. He cited his turnovers and a lack of aggression in the first half. Well, if this is a bad game, I can’t wait to see what Ben thinks is a good one.

I actually thought Simmons played pretty aggressively. There were numerous times when Simmons saw Noah Vonleh back as the only defender in transition, made the calculation that Vonleh wasn’t stopping him, and went right to the rim. Early in the game, Simmons hustled hard out of a trap to race over and block a Kevin Knox corner 3-point attempt.

The key sequence in the game was in the third quarter, shortly after the Knicks had briefly made it a one-possession game. Simmons dished the ball to Embiid in transition for a powerful dunk, and then had a huge slam himself the next time down the court. Any New York momentum was completely snuffed out. Keep striving for more, Ben, but I liked what I saw.

Landry Shamet: 17 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block

The 17 points were a career-high for the rookie, who shot 4-for-7 from behind the arc. It wasn’t just spot-up shooting from Shamet though, as he also made a nice cut to the basket to bank in an and-one play, and played solid defense for a block on Kevin Knox. Asked about the play, Landry said that’s been a focus for him — defending on the ball and being accountable. Brett Brown referenced Shamet being able to hit the ground running thanks to having more collegiate experience than the typical draft pick who is often a one-and-done guy nowadays. Whatever the reason, Shamet is making an impact for a Sixers rotation that badly needs depth.

JJ Redick: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists

Pretty typical night for Redick, except for the fact that JJ passed 10,000 career points during the game. When the in-arena PA system announced it during a timeout, his teammates gave him raucous ovation on the bench, fanning him off with their towels. It’s quite the accomplishment for Redick in his now-13th season. Be sure to congratulate him on social media.

T.J. McConnell: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

T.J. engaged peak agitator mode in the second half, getting a patented steal of an in-bounds pass in the backcourt (which, unfortunately, led to Mike Muscala airballing a 3-pointer). He also nailed a corner three and followed it up with a staredown of the Knicks bench, who must have said something to him on the shot. Brett Brown, praising McConnell after the game, said “He’s a pain for everybody, and he’s ours.” That about sums it up.