Simmons Saric Solution
But Ben Simmons can fix that. Despite his absence from the NCAA tournament, his skill-sets are vital to the Philadelphia 76ers. His basketball IQ, court awareness, and selfless style of play give him a strong shot at being slotted into a “Magic Johnson-esque” point guard role with the Sixers. With Saric sliding down to man the small forward role, the team immediately places themselves into the heart of Mike D’Antoni’s wheelhouse – a pace space pass schemed offense. Simmons and Saric are not the only players with passing abilities. With Joel Embiid having better than expected passing skills for his size, the team could emerge into the 2016-2017 season far better than originally expected.
Add Saric, Simmons, and Valentine, and just push the ball every possession. Decision makers with the ball are a wonderful thing.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) March 13, 2016
That lineup also takes on a different dimension in the NBA. While other teams go small, the potential for a Simmons/Saric pairing on the Sixers roster could practically redefine the pace space pass offensive scheme, and launch the NBA towards emulating a team that boasts the tallest starting lineups in the NBA.
While there is no guarantee whether the Sixers will be able to select Simmons in the NBA draft, the potential has already become fully embedded in the minds of the front office – including newcomers like executive Jerry Colangelo and assistant coach Mike D’Antoni. And with that knowledge of the possibility, you can bet that this team is already preparing an offense should that scenarior take place.
ALSO ON SIXER SENSE: Sixer Sense Mock 2016 NBA Draft Board
No offense is 100% effective from the moment it’s drawn up on a chalkboard. No NBA rookie is 100% effective from the first game through the end of their careers. The offense will need to take the scheme out for test drives, put it through it’s paces, and refine the strategy to optimize its effectiveness with the existing talent. So too, NBA rookies must familiarize themselves with a new team, new scheme, new settings, and even their own development by trial and error.
But long hoped for results will eventually come.
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So as all eyes now turn to the NCAA tournament, and the performance of players in that competition will drive talk of the 2016 NBA draft, don’t forget Ben Simmons. Despite not carrying his team to the NCAA tournament, has plenty to offer the NBA, and the Philadelphia 76ers in particular.