Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets are set to face off this week. There has already been a decent amount of trash talk.

Although Philly owns first place in the East, the Nets are the team that everyone expects to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Currently, Brooklyn is 5-2 to win the championship – best in the whole NBA.

Ahead of this week’s showdown, Ben Simmons sat down and offered his thoughts on where the Sixers fit in to the league’s hierarchy. The young star’s message can be best summed up as a warning shot to both the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

In a conversation with Rich Hofmann of The Athletic, Simmons got very blunt about a potential rivalry with the Nets.

Philadelphia currently ranks seventh in the NBA in points allowed per game with 108.3. Simmons is a big reason why, as his ability to guard one through five on defense is nearly unmatched in the league.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Do Oilers need more from Connor McDavid to get to Stanley Cup Final?
All-Rookie teams show gems available all over draft
The NBA has not witnessed this much parity in 50 years
Knicks expected to be 'aggressive' in upgrading their roster
Drew Bledsoe offers advice for Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye
2024 AFC revenge games: Brothers, 'Stefon Diggs Bowl' to take center stage
2024 NFC revenge games: Which game should Cowboys, others have circled?
How All-Star Race victory could turn Joey Logano's season around
Xander Schauffele's triumph could open the floodgates for his career
Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen will finish off their trilogy in a boxing ring
Ranking the five best MLB free-agent signings of offseason
Veteran WR, former first-round pick announces NFL retirement
Oilers advance to West Final again after holding off Canucks in Game 7
Bengals star WR not expected to sign franchise tender before OTAs
Red Sox RHP diagnosed with ligament damage in elbow
Watch: Caitlin Clark shows off range with logo three, but Fever fall short
Former Dolphins receiving leader announces his retirement from NFL
Detroit Lions dominate PFF's top-25 players under 25
Hall of Famer, legendary Raiders offensive lineman dead at 86
Report: Cavs owner 'would never' trade Donovan Mitchell to this team