AUSSIE basketball legend Chris Anstey says Ben Simmons’ Philadelphia 76ers are good enough to win a “fairytale” NBA title.
The former Dallas Maverick and Chicago Bull says the Sixers, who go into Game 2 of today’s Eastern Conference first-round match up with the Miami Heat with a 1-0 series lead, have all the hallmarks of a team that can have a deep postseason run.
Anstey likened the Sixers to the 1993-94 Orlando Magic, who made it all the way to the NBA Finals, led by a pair of young stars in Shaquille O’Neal (then 21) and rookie Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway (22).
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“I think they’re young enough and naive enough to believe anything’s possible,” Anstey said. “I see shades of the Orlando Magic when Shaq was there. They had a ‘why not us, why not now’ mentality and Philadelphia have that belief.”
The Sixers’ own version of Shaq and Penny, 24-year-old Joel Embiid — who missed game 1 with a fractured orbital bone — and Simmons (21), is surrounded with enough firepower to shock the NBA, the three-time NBL champion says.
And Anstey believes the young Aussie Rookie of the Year favourite can deal with the pressure.
“One of his strengths is his character and … he knows he’s that good,” the Boomers Olympian said of Simmons, who had 17 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds in the Sixers 130-103 Game 1 win on Sunday.
“There’s not too much that’s going to overwhelm him.”
Anstey says presumptive Eastern Conference finals favourites Cleveland Cavaliers — smashed by the Indiana Pacers 98-80 yesterday, despite a 24-point, 12 assist 10 rebound triple double from LeBron James — are vulnerable.
“Lebron’s support cast is not very good,” the dual NBL MVP said.
“Teams will let Lebron have his triple double and see if other guys can make shots and make plays and I’m not sure they can.
“I absolutely think Philly can get through the East. I’d love to see them get through the Heat and then they’ll get a really undermanned Boston or they get Milwaukee. I think they win against either of those two and then they get a swing at whoever’s left.”
It wasn’t a great day for the Aussies in yesterday’s action, with Joe Ingles and Dante Exum unable to help the Utah Jazz overcome the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of their Western Conference playoff series, falling 116-108. Ingles managed a trio of three-pointers on his way to 13 points, but he was ineffective as a playmaker, dealing just one assist, as Thunder star Paul George (a game-high 36 points) locked him down.
Simmons’ rookie nemesis Donovan Mitchell lived up to the hype with 27 points and 10 rebounds in his playoff debut but rolled his ankle in the second term, giving Exum (10 points) an opportunity to shine. Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook scored 29 points with 13 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder.
Aussies Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker did not take the court for Milwaukee, while Aron Baynes started but played just 15 minutes for Boston, as the Celtics beat the Bucks in a 113-107 overtime thriller. Baynes picked up two early fouls and did not score as Al Horford (24 points, 12 rebounds) paced Boston. Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 35 pointsfor the Bucks.
James Harden scored 44 points to help West No.1-seed Houston hold off a determined Minnesota 104-101.
AUSSIE SCHEDULE
Miami Heat No.6 seed, $ 3.25 at Philadelphia 76ers (Ben Simmons) No.3, $ 1.35 — 10am
San Antonio Spurs (Patty Mills) No.7, $ 5.25 at Golden State Warriors No.2, $ 1.16 — 12.30pm
*All times AEST
^Odds provided by TAB.com.au
