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Ben Simmons on defending in today’s less-physical league: ‘It’s the NBA. No boys allowed.’

Simmons is tied for first in the NBA with Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet in deflections (3.8 per game) and ranks 10th in steals (1.5).

Ben Simmons, left, and Danny Green, right, of the Sixers stripoed the ball away from New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle in the first half of Tuesday's game at the Wells Fargo Center.
Ben Simmons, left, and Danny Green, right, of the Sixers stripoed the ball away from New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle in the first half of Tuesday's game at the Wells Fargo Center.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

Due to rule changes, NBA defenders can’t duplicate the physicality of players in previous eras.

One can assume the changes over the years would be problematic for Ben Simmons, who’s often assigned to defend elite scorers regardless of position.

Not so much. He still gets after it.

“I try to be physical from the jump, just so they know when we get to the fourth quarter, they can’t call that stuff,” Simmons said of his defensive approach. “It’s the NBA. No boys allowed. It feels like it definitely should be more physical.

“I mean it takes away from guys who could really guard players.”

» READ MORE: Sixers coach Doc Rivers says there is plenty of room for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to both be great

But when the Sixers need him to defend a specific player in the fourth quarter, he loves taking on the challenge.

Simmons was a first-team All-Defensive performer and league leader in steals last season. This season, coach Doc Rivers touts him as the front-runner for defensive player of the year. Simmons is tied atop the NBA with Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet in deflections (3.8 per game) and ranks 10th in steals (1.5).

Rivers thinks Simmons’ defensive versatility will make him more valuable in the playoffs.

“It’s interesting, going into the playoffs is about matchups, a lot,” Rivers said. “Well we can pick our matchup at least, you know? And that’s nice to have where your best player, usually your best defensive player, can guard that position and you hope their best player is at that position.

“With Ben, we can say, ‘Well, we’re going to put you on that position.’ We don’t care.”