The Sixer Sense
Fansided

The Philadelphia 76ers Selecting Ben Simmons Saga

By Bret Stuter

Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; LSU freshman Ben Simmons (right) sits in the front row during a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; LSU freshman Ben Simmons (right) sits in the front row during a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Simmons The Player

This is just another shooting star tale if we do not see an NBA player worthy of the mantle of top overall pick of the NBA draft.

This is a young man who can move himself and the basketball in ways that reminds you of NEO in the Matrix trilogy. How many players can truly play at the point guard, the small forward, and the power forward role in the NBA?

That’s how Brett Brown described him.  But if Simmons can play so many diverse roles, how will the Sixers play him, and does he excel at any role?

Well yes, actually. Quite a few.  Standing at 6’10” gives him the perfect physicality to work the boards , and his 11.8 rebounds per game prove that proficiency.  Despite playing from the point forward, he generated nearly a block per game as well.  His 4.8 assists per game would have been much higher if he had had offensive outlets to feed the ball to, but his teammates at LSU were not one of the stronger NCAA rosters.

While so many discuss his basketball smarts and his ball handling, he can score, and do so very effectively.  His 19.2 points per game are doubly impressive when paired up with his 56% field goal accuracy.  He was one of the lone threats on the LSU team, and yet he still managed to score and remain accurate.

There are holes remaining in his complete game, but he’s young and he’s entering the NBA.  There are weaknesses to any rookie’s game.  He has yet to master a perimeter shot, and depending on where he lines up, he will need to focus on his defense.  But he elevates the game of the players around him, which is what the greats of the NBA do.

Ben Simmons has work to do to prove that he can lead a team to success.  The Philadelphia 76ers have work to do to prove that they can once more be a successful team.

Next: NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers Tied to Big Deals

Now it’s up to Fate.  That same force that placed Ben Simmons on a collision course with the Philadelphia 76ers, must now move the team towards their ultimate destiny.  Whatever that might be, it’s already moving in a positive direction.