For the first time in four years, the Philadelphia 76ers are trying to win. The tank is over. And for another first, they have a legitimate roster of NBA talent that’s expected to — at the very least — challenge for a playoff spot. To Brett Browns’ credit, the Sixers played in a number of close games last season, and interestingly enough, T.J. McConnell was the guy who stepped up and made two game-winners, including a buzzer-beater right in the face of Knicks’ forward Camelo Anthony. Luckily for the Sixers, McConnell assumed the role, as they didn’t have another viable option that could create their own shot.
The Sixers finally have a guy they can give the ball to and say, “Go to work.” Many think it’s star center Joel Embiid, and it is for just about all scenarios in a game, but not the final possession. Sure, the Sixers can run their offense through Embiid all game, but the final possession of the game is different. It’s not ideal for a 7-2 center to be playing iso ball at the arc with ten seconds left. A player that big handling the ball too much is prone to turning it over. The rookie center averaged almost four a game last year.
Call him what you want: point guard, point forward, a plain guard, or just throw him out there position-less, Ben Simmons is the player that needs the ball in his hands in a one-possession game with final possession.
Take a look at this package of his precision passing and the ability to take the ball to the hoop.
RT to remind twitter how good ben simmons will be pic.twitter.com/B8k5wRLQ6T
— Drew Corrigan (@Dcorrigan50) July 22, 2017
Simmons was the best player in his only season at LSU in 2014-15. He averaged a double-double with 19 a game and just under five assists. If you put the ball in Simmons’ hands with the game on the line, he’ll make the right call more times than not, by a wide margin.
Just think of all the options he’ll have.
It’s rare you see a 6-10, 240 pound athlete move the way Simmons moves. That’s why the Sixers and Brett Brown are so hell-bent on using him as a point guard. Simmons will likely be guarded by small forwards, who he’ll tower over and out-weigh. If a power forward happens to be on Simmons, the former LSU standout will have a leg-up on foot speed. Either way, Simmons is a match-up nightmare and is destined to get to the basket by out-muscling or blowing by his defender. From the looks of the video package, Simmons is more than capable of finishing at the rim.
Once Simmons gets by his defender, and is met in the paint by an opposing big, that’s when you have your cutters slash to the basket. Robert Covington is most suited for that role, as the 6-9 forward was able to round out his game last year by finishing strong at the rim. Or, if the opposing big that happens to be guarding Embiid picks up Simmons, a little dump off pass to the big fella for the easy finish wouldn’t hurt either.
If the defense is that good in rotation, where Simmons can’t dump off to Embiid or a cutter, someone has to be open on the perimeter, and that’s why J.J. Redick was signed. A career 41.5 percent shooter from three, Redick could hit an open three with his eyes closed. Markelle Fultz, Jerryd Bayless, who shot 43.7 percent from distance in 2015-16 (his last full season), Nik Stauskus, and even Covington and Embiid are all capable of hitting the outside shot.
But it starts with the creator: Ben Simmons, who’ll “Go to work” starting in October.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
