Through The Lens: The defining images of Ben Simmons' 2019-20 season

October 8, 2019 - Ben Simmons knocked down his first career 3-pointer in the Philadelphia 76ers' preseason game against the Guangzhou Long-Lions.

In his first two seasons, the 6-10 point guard had never made a single 3-pointer in 18 attempts (regular season and playoffs). So, while it was just in a preseason game, this was a huge moment as it temporarily put to rest the talk of Simmons' long-range shooting struggles. 

From zero in his first two seasons, he has gone 2-of-6 (33.3%) from distance in his first 54 games of the regular season. While he's still not taken as many shots as many might want, Simmons has shown the All-Star calibre strength of his game even without the 3-point shot.

December 7, 2019 - Ben Simmons recorded a career-high 34 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a dominant 141-94 victory against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers. 

With Joel Embiid out for this game, the Aussie recorded seven assists, three rebounds, and two blocks while shooting an efficient 12-of-14 from the field. He finished with a game-high +32 in his 26 minutes of action, helping the hosts improve their unbeaten home record to 11-0.

During this rout, Simmons also knocked down his first career 3-pointer that was either in the regular season or playoffs.

December 23, 2019 - Ben Simmons dished out a career-high 17 assists, part of a triple-double, as the 76ers comfortably defeated the Detroit Pistons 125-109.

In 37 minutes, he finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 17 assists. He became the first 76ers player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968 to record at least 16 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds. 

December 28, 2019 - Off the intentional free-throw miss by Josh Richardson, Ben Simmons comes up with the clutch tip-in to force overtime in a competitive game against the Heat. 

His tip-in capped off a chaotic final 25 seconds of regulation. 

🚨 Ben Simmons gets the putback to go off the missed free throw

WE'RE GOING TO OT!!!!@sixers 108@MiamiHEAT 108 pic.twitter.com/5JiWaWdUXp

— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) December 29, 2019

Although the 76ers eventually lost 109-108 in overtime, the tip-in to force overtime was one of the few clutch shots of Simmons' young career. Playing a team-high 43 minutes, he finished with all-round numbers of 15 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals.

January 3, 2020 - In a 118-108 road loss against the Houston Rockets, Ben Simmons was the best player on the floor for the 76ers. Playing a game-high 42 minutes, he finished with team-high tallies of 29 points (13-20 FGs), 13 rebounds, 11 assists, four blocks, and three steals.

While it was arguably his best performance of the season, the Sixers came up short as the Rockets were propelled by James Harden (44 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) and Clint Capela (30 points, 14 rebounds).

This was Simmons' 25th career triple-double. He reached that mark in 195 games, third-fastest in NBA history behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.

January 3, 2020 - Prior to the game against the Rockets in Houston, where he played one of his best games of the season, Simmons poured his heart out on Twitter.

I’m so sad by the loss our country is currently facing. The images of the raging fires, people, families, firefighters and wildlife are nothing short of terrifying. 12 million acres of land destroyed, human lives lost, animals being wiped out and misplaced with homes and 1/3

— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) January 3, 2020

rebuild when the fires have stopped.

Australia is a strong and resilient country and I urge you all to be brave, kind and compassionate to each other through this extremely hard time. 3/3

— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) January 3, 2020

He paid tribute to those affected by the disaster in his country by honouring them on his sneakers.

A few days later, he joined the rest of the Australian NBA players to donate $750,000 to aid immediate relief efforts and long-term rebuilding projects.

January 20, 2020 -  With no Joel Embiid, the 76ers looked to their other All-Star in Ben Simmons to lead them. He did that and then some. 

In a game-high 42 minutes, Simmons tied his career-high of 34 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out 12 assists, recorded five steals and two blocks. En route to recording his fourth triple-double of the season, he shot an incredible 12-of-14 from the field. 

In a competitive 117-111 win, where the 76ers needed every bit of Simmons' contribution, this was one of the Aussie's best performances of the season. 

January 25, 2020 - In a game headlined by LeBron James passing Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time scoring list in his hometown of Philadelphia, Ben Simmons took care of business and led the Embiid-less 76ers to an easy 108-91 victory.

Competing against the Lakers' two All-Stars in James and Anthony Davis, Simmons outplayed each of them. He finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and four steals on 12-of-15 shooting from the field.

He was a game-high +15 in his 41 minutes of action.

February 11, 2020 - In the 76ers' final game before the All-Star break, a combined team effort meant that the hosts edged the Clippers 110-103. 

Josh Richardson scored 17 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter while Simmons contributed his bit. Recording his sixth triple-double of the season, the former No. 1 overall pick finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. 

Not to mention his stellar defense on Kawhi Leonard when the two superstars matched up against each other. 

February 16, 2020 - For the second straight season, Simmons was voted in by the coaches for the All-Star Game as a reserve. 

This is unchartered waters for Australian NBA players, as Simmons is the lone Aussie in NBA history to ever be selected an All-Star Game.

Representing Team LeBron, he finished with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 29 minutes of action. 

After the All-Star Game, Simmons was sidelined with a back injury that resulted in his suiting up for the 76ers in just one of their 10 games before the season was suspended on March 11. However, during the league's four-month hiatus, the former Rookie of the Year has rehabbed his injured back and his roaring to go. 

Can Simmons, Embiid and the 76ers emerge as the dark horse title contenders in the East as the season restarts in Orlando? Only time will tell.