Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons is the key to The Process
Ben Simmons is one of the most unique prospects to enter the NBA in recent years, and he’s the key to the Philadelphia 76ers
After years of tanking, the Philadelphia 76ers look ready to establish some winning habits this season. They have one superstar in Joel Embiid and two potential stars in Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons.
Simmons, the number one overall pick in the 2016 draft, is one of the most unique prospects to enter the NBA in recent years. Listed at 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, he already looks the part. Combine these impressive physical tools with his elite basketball IQ and the Sixers might have something special.
It is going to be fascinating to watch Simmons and the rest of this young Sixers core grow together. This could be one the most talented teams ever assembled through the draft. They are not going to be great right away but, in a few short years, the Sixers could become a dominant force in the league.
Playmaking
Even though he doesn’t look like your typical point guard, Simmons is a true floor general. He plays with a pass-first mentality and he is always looking to set up his teammates. Simmons is constantly working to push the pace and beat the defense down the floor. This allows him to create chaos and punish the opposition in transition and semi-transition.
It’s clear that Simmons is already more than qualified to run an NBA offense. He sees the floor so well and he is always thinking ahead. Joel Embiid in particular should benefit from having a facilitator who can consistently get him in positions to succeed.
Shooting
When you bring up Simmons, it is hard to not talk about his jumper. The lefty’s mechanics still look off and he does not look comfortable shooting from extended range. He rarely takes any shots outside of the lane and it’s hard to see him ever extending out to the 3-point line.
In 2016, Kevin O’Connor, who now works at The Ringer, did a fascinating film study about the possibility of Simmons shooting with the wrong hand.
Simmons is such an imposing physical force that he doesn’t need a 3-point shot to be successful. But, if he were to develop even a consistent mid-range jumper, he would become almost unstoppable.
Finishing
Finishing around the basket is going to be the key for Simmons as a scorer. He should be able to attack off the dribble and get to the rim but he will need to convert from in close if he wants to be a reliable scorer early on.
These are the kinds of plays Simmons will have to make if he wants to keep the defense honest. If the defenders stay back in the pick-and-roll, Simmons will need to use the space they give him to build up speed, attack the basket and finish.
Even though he is left-handed, as O’Connor noted in his piece, Simmons almost always looks to finish with his right hand. This trend is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Defense
In college, Simmons was not known for his defense even though he certainly has the tools to be a good defender. It was often a question of effort rather than talent, as he has shown flashes of defensive potential.
Simmons’ court awareness allows him to make plays like this on the defensive end. Also, with more talent surrounding him, he won’t have to spend all of his energy carrying the offense like he did at LSU. This should allow him to use his physical tools and instincts consistently on the defensive end.
One thing to watch with Simmons on defense is where he matches up. Even though he is unquestionably the Sixers’ point guard, he will not usually guard opposing point guards.
Sixers head coach Brett Brown talked about how he expects Simmons to play on defense.
"“When we start talking about who are we going to start and what are the matchups going to be, the transition defense is always most on our mind,” Brown said. “It would be easier if Ben could guard who guards him and you could just stay there. That’s probably not going to be the case often …“How that shakes out, how that plays out with Ben on the other side of the ball, I’m not too concerned about it. I think that because of his versatility, he’s going to be able to put out a lot of fires. I think because of his foot speed and length, if he gets cross-matched on a point guard, I’m OK with that."
Here is an example of where Simmons could struggle early in his career. He isn’t able to move his feet and stay in front of the explosive John Wall, giving up a drive to the hoop.
John Wall is one of the fastest players in the NBA, so this isn’t the end of the world. It is simply one area where Simmons can look to improve. He is a good athlete, so I expect him to hold his own most of the time.
Rookie Expectations
Simmons will have a strong rookie season. He is physically ready to compete at a high level and as the season goes on his feel for the game will only improve. He is already an elite passer and the Sixers offense will benefit greatly from what he provides on that end.
Look for him to make a strong push for Rookie of the Year, especially if the Sixers make a run at the playoffs. While some of the best teams will be able to take advantage of his notable weaknesses, Simmons will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his diverse and crafty game.
Long-Term Outlook
Ben Simmons could be the key to The Process. The Philadelphia 76ers have some of the best young talent assembled in recent NBA history. Embiid, when healthy, is a proven superstar. Fultz and Dario Saric are intriguing young pieces. They also have some solid veterans like J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson.
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If Simmons fulfills his All-Star potential, the Sixers could turn into legitimate contenders in the near future.