The Sixer Sense
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Ben Simmons May Complicate Dario Saric’s 2016 Debut

By Bret Stuter

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 /
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Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) drives to the basket in the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Texas A&M Aggies won 71-38. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) drives to the basket in the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Texas A&M Aggies won 71-38. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Similar Position

Simmons is more along the lines of a guy who gets through traffic by slicing around them.  While equally adept at passing, he is less of an artillery howitzer, and more like a laser guided missile.  His moves are not built from distance, so he draws traffic to him by cutting gracefully and quickly to the basket.  As the defense closes on him, he will launch the ball to a teammate for a clean look at an easy three, or across the base line to the center coming in for the alley oop.

SImmons is faster.  While Saric can navigate the big bodies bouncing under the basket, Simmons slices through the bodies.  In the NBA, there is a certain amount of muscularity needed as a minimum.  Simmons has that body mass, and still glides gracefully.

Simmons and Saric are both projected to be an NBA four.  If the Sixers plan to take Simmons, the conversation with Saric had best be loaded with details of how the two will not be competing for the same minutes on the basketball court.

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