Philadelphia 76ers Pursue Ben Simmons w Brandon Ingram?

Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid practices prior to a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid practices prior to a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Simmons Elitism Slides into Small Forward

The debate will wage. Do the Sixers need a wing scorer, or an elite ball-handler who can pass, rebound, deadly accurate with free throw rate, stands 6’10” but plays like a point guard, with an NBA ready body, and whose versatility gives him an ability to defend guard and forwards?

Simmons is just an athlete who has tremendous upside, and his talents are absolutely NBA ready.  The knock on Simmons is his jumper, but focusing on that is like focusing on a quarterback who cannot outrun a defensive back.  He’s just simply better at more things than any other prospect entering the NBA this year. A player like Ben Simmons needs a solid compliment of teammates around him to make the shots.

Isn’t It Ironic Ingram Compliments Simmons So Well?  Simmons runs the floor, but he needs shooters to pass the ball to.  That’s the consensus of Bryan Colangelo.  But Colangelo elaborated even further:

"“He could actually play some three, some four, and some five in some situations the way the league is playing right now. But again, the notion that he’s a ball handling four puts him in a unique position with out team to be a distributor, etc.” – Bryan Colangelo discusses Ben Simmons"

Next: Trading for Ingram