The Sixers not only have the personnel needed to execute with a less sizable group on the floor, but the style of play that would likely follow a smaller lineup is one that plays to the strengths of Philly’s most important players outside of of traditional bigs.
Allowing Simmons to get out and push the pace as a primary creator would be exceptional for his development. He’s extremely quick for his size and has already displayed the fact that his ball handling skills are transferable to the next level during his summer league play thus far. When he gets moving in transition, it’s tough to find a defender capable of staying in front of him with the size and speed he possesses. He’s much to agile for a traditional center or power forward to keep pace with, while small forwards and shooting guards are likely to be overpowered and inadequately prepared to match his overall momentum.
A free-flowing offense that puts Simmons in fast break scenarios where he can find teammates on the drive and look for his own offensive more aggressively would maximize his production from an early age, while also allowing him to fine tune the most important aspects of his game.
In addition to Simmons, a number of other core fixtures in the Sixers’ rotation would be placed well with position to exceed. Dario Saric moving around the court as a secondary passer and reliable athlete both off of screens and in transition would avoid his skill set being overshadowed by that of Simmons.
Philly’s perimeter pieces would also be well suited to running the court at a higher clip. The most developed areas of Timothe Luwawu’s game come when he’s sprinting the court in long strides, while giving Covington and Grant room to operate in the open floor could dramatically increase their already improving production.
Henderson would be given more space to create off the bounce, while their shooters would be given more open looks when playing with a great sense of urgency and increased play movement as well, while their point guards could find new avenues of production as off-ball scorers.
While the Sixers’ primary bigs wouldn’t be featured all that much when Philly did revert to small ball, the vast majority of the rotation would be placed in a better position to operate. They’re an athletic, youthful core that can run the court with consistent vigor at a rate not many teams are capable, while the influx of spacing could neutralize their shooting woes that have often been prevalent in games over the past couple of seasons.
The Sixers have the players to do it, and do it at a high level, all while playing in a manner the truly increases the level of production from some of their best players.
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