Ever since gracing the league two years ago, the story of Ben Simmons is one of a talented player inhibited by a few glaring faults. While poor shooting is chief among them, the case of occasional defensive lapses trails close behind.
The trade for Jimmy Butler was meant to not only relieve Ben Simmons of an overflow of creating duties but aide defensively too. It’s not that incumbent Robert Covington was an underwhelming defender — lest you forget he was first-team all defense last season — but poor footwork plagued his on-ball defense.
Brett Brown is hoping the addition of Jimmy Butler’s defensive presence is contagious, spreading to his new teammates, and especially to Simmons.