The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Ben Simmons Has Basketball Skills Made Better By Physique

By Josh Wilson

Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) gestures from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) gestures from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ben Simmons is incredibly advantaged coming into the NBA because of two very distinct basketball skills that are made even better because of his physique.

Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) yells from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Los Angeles won the game 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) yells from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Los Angeles won the game 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Simmons is one of the most watched players in summer league so far this go-around. Being the Philadelphia 76ers’ top overall pick from this year’s NBA Draft, that comes with very little surprise.

When the Sixers drafted Simmons, they knew a lot of what he was good at from his time at LSU. What they didn’t know, however, was what he had been capitalizing on in between his season-end at LSU and his season-begin with the Sixers.

Simmons and the Tigers did not make the March Madness tournament, nor did they accept their invitation to the NIT tournament. So when they finished their season in early March, Simmons was left to train by himself, and not put his skills on full-display in real game situations.

For anyone counting, that’s almost five full months in between full competitive games for Simmons. Five months in between when we saw him play last. With the first game coming on July 4th for the Sixers’ summer league, we started seeing how his newfound muscle would help his game, and how he would fare in the NBA and alongside some of the Sixers he will play with even in the regular season.

Simmons has two very distinct skills that he uses. The thing is, the skills he has are not unique, not by themselves. What’s unique about his skills is how his physical qualities take those skills to the next level. Blend his two high-level skills with his physique, and you’ve got some deadly combinations that will lead the Sixers to wins.

Next: Agility