The Sixer Sense
Fansided

The Simmons Saric Embiid Combination

By Bret Stuter

Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) passes balls behind his back before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) passes balls behind his back before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Power Forward/ Small Forward / Shooting Guard

The front court, already well stocked with talent, will play a key role in who the Philadelphia 76ers seek this off-season, and at which positions they will look to fill. If the Sixers believe that the center position can be managed by the combination of Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, and are comfortable in a the prospect of Joel Embiid and Carl Landry at the four, then a shift of Saric to the small forward and Simmons to shooting guard is at least a discussion this team must hold.

In this scenario, the team gives the center role the responsibility for rim-protection and initiating the fast break offense.  With Simmons on the court, he will likely continue to direct traffic, and the team will rely upon the physicality of Jahlil Okafor and the dependability of Carl Landry generate points.

In this scenario, Simmons floating down to the two compensates for anticipated difficulty of the Sixers in finding premier veteran back court help at both guard positions.  This also allows the team to retain all three centers (Okafor Embiid and Noel) if the offers do not reflect the Sixers value of each player.

This scenario would be more offensively oriented, as both Dario Saric and Ben Simmons would be defending smaller and faster opponents.  But it does have some potential to become stalwart at times.  Point with this lineup should come in bunches, as the team could have a very tall lineup and with both Simmons and Saric on the floor, ball movement would be at a premium.    In this lineup, Jahlil Okafor could conceivably score in bunches, as there will be too many other scoring threats to double him up.

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