The Philadelphia 76ers History Of Picking At One In NBA Draft

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) controls 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) controls 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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But it’s Bryan Colangelo making the selection.  He likes centers and power forwards.  Head coach Brett Brown knows Ben Simmons from birth.  And his game would certainly upgrade the quality of the entire team, as he is a potential elite ball distributor.

And so, the decision rests in the future.  Ideally, the talents of Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are so compatible that you almost want the Philadelphia 76ers to find a way to select both this year.   But pragmatically, the Philadelphia 76ers could walk away from the draft with a guy with seemingly limitless talent, but must find a way to develop that into NBA skillsets.

They have the right organization to do so, as the team has been developing NBA talent for the past three years and have done a commendable job.   To make full use of what he brings, the team needs to add complimentary offensively skilled players.

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So it comes down to which way the coin flips for the Philadelphia 76ers.  If they elect Simmons, there is the question of work ethic.  If they select Ingram, there is the question of physicality and strength.  In either case, the Philadelphia 76ers will select their third number one pick of an NBA draft.

Let’s hope he is even more successful than his predecessors.