The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Should Utilize Small Ball

By Christopher Kline

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 /
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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sixers’ small ball lineup would also translate well to the defensive side ball. With a rotation comprised of fluid athletes capable of covering multiple positions, the Sixers could excel in defending off of switches and would rarely get caught in a mismatch that was overly detrimental to the team.

Both Simmons and Saric are capable of stretching their defense out to the perimeter effectively. While they may not find their most consistent success when forced out there, the ability to come off of screens and rotate onto the opposition’s point guard without giving up an easy look is essential in today’s NBA.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s versatility in defending the Warriors was key to their near-victory in the Western Conference Finals, while a perfected set of defensive rotations and impressive perimeter coverage by Tristan Thompson was an vital part of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ comeback in the Finals. To cap it off, Kevin Love‘s outside defense on Stephen Curry‘s final shot in Game  7 was a defining moment not only in the series, but in a sense, for the game of basketball itself and the direction it is currently heading.

Simmons and Saric are both far more capable defensive players on the perimeter than both Thompson and Love, and could give the Sixers a massive edge on the side of the ball that Brett Brown preaches on a daily basis.

In addition to the frontcourt’s potential flexibility, the backcourt would also be a massive factor in the success of the defense. Luwawu made his way into the draft as an ultra-athletic wing defender who is capable of getting into passing lanes and spearheading transition opportunities, while both Henderson, Covington and Grant are capable of alternating assignments based on matchups.

Small ball could, ideally, allow the Sixers to overpower the opposing team on the perimeter and out-finesse them in the post, allowing them to stave off easy buckets coming off of picks and utilize their defense as a catalyst for fast break offense rather than a stationary protection of the rim with exploitable holes both inside and out, especially when Okafor is in the game.

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