The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Ben Simmons Has Basketball Skills Made Better By Physique

By Josh Wilson

Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) gestures from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) gestures from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) takes a three point shot during an NBA Summer League game against the Chicago Bulls at Thomas & Mack Center. Chicago won the game 83-70. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) takes a three point shot during an NBA Summer League game against the Chicago Bulls at Thomas & Mack Center. Chicago won the game 83-70. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Agility

We’ve heard the term “point-forward” over and over from Simmons and head coach Brett Brown. That’s a term that probably didn’t even exist until this past NBA season, or even the year before, but now we’re starting to hear more and more of it and how it helps teams win games.

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The “point” part of that position is short for “point guard” and point guards are often the most agile, nimble players on the floor. They have no problem handling the ball, utilizing spin moves, and not getting caught up in footwork. They are quick moving and hard to keep up with, and can move around like slithering snakes.

Simmons fits that description well.

First off, one of the things Simmons can do well because of being agile is get close to the baseline and not fall out of bounds. For some players, when they get cornered in between a defender and the court’s perimeter, they can’t help but fall over the line, simply because their balance isn’t good.

Simmons, however, can tip-toe the last of the court’s fair-play zone like a tightrope walker.

Simmons can get down the floor quickly and spin and juke past defenders with ease. Some other players with his size are slower moving, and are stopped easily with one or two defenders stepping front of them. Simmons is different.

The way he handles defenders with his agility makes him unpredictable. He’s light on his feet, and it’s rare to see him thrown off-balance.

The agility allows him to get all over the floor, and makes him incredibly hard to defend. Many NBA players possess that quality, but one of his physical qualities is what takes this to the next level.

Next: Strength