When rookie Ben Simmons stepped onto the court on Thursday, he clearly felt as though he had something to prove. And boy, did he get everyone's attention. Although he took part in the Rising Stars Challenge, Simmons made it clear multiple times that he felt as though he was an All-Star snub ever since the voting results were released.On February 14, he posted a triple-double against the Miami Heat with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a victory. That was the game right before the All-Star break and he sent a very clear message.On Thursday, the first game back from the break, he picked up right where he left off with arguably the best overall performance of his stellar campaign. He torched the Chicago Bulls for 32 points on 13-of-18 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and 11 assists. He also added a block and a steal and had just two turnovers on the night.Best of all, he iced the game with two clutch free throws after coming up with a loose ball and getting fouled with 5.6 seconds left in the contest. The Sixers ended up squeaking by with the one-point victory. 

“Stepping up to the line, I knew I was going to knock them down,” the Rookie of the Year candidate said after the game. “That’s one of those things, you have to have the mentality. So, I was put to the line. I can’t be thinking I’m going to miss them, so …”

Coach Brett Brown was clearly impressed with Simmons’ performance.

“He has such strength of belief. We saw Washington foul him 29 times [Nov. 29th], and different things that we have seen at the end of games where he delivers. He has tremendous inner confidence, so it doesn’t surprise me. I judge people’s body language perhaps too much, and when he stepped to the line, it looked like he wanted to shoot,” the coach said after the game.

“I think it was big,” Simmons said after the contest, “but guys know when I step up to the line, in situations like that, I shoot it with confidence, and coaches know that.”

As a result of the dominant showing, Simmons joined Allen Iverson in the Sixers' history books.

In the long history of the franchise, no one else has had a 30-plus point, 10-plus assist performance in his rookie season other than Iverson and (now) Simmons.

Simmons is averaging 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game and this jaw-dropping output will certainly help his case for the Rookie of the Year honor even more.