The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: 5 Starting Lineup Options

By Christopher Kline

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dario Saric (Croatia) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Lineup No. 2

  • PG Jerryd Bayless 
  • SG Gerald Henderson 
  • SF Ben Simmons 
  • PF Dario Saric 
  • C Nerlens Noel

In a slight shift from the first lineup proposition, the Sixers actually get a bit bigger with the addition of Dario Saric to the rotation in place of Robert Covington, moving Simmons to the three. Likewise to just about every lineup presented, Simmons would still run the offense for the majority of his time on the court, regardless of the semantics of his positioning.

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The main alteration here is the fact that Saric would likely be Simmons’ secondary playmaker, rather than the Sergio Rodriguez. The 6-10 Croatian has excelled during the Olympic qualifying tournament in the weeks leading up to his recent signing, while his play with Anadolu Efes Istanbul (the same team of draftee Furkan Korkmaz) has more than established his aptitude to run the offense at times.

Much like Simmons, he’s someone who can attack his defender off the bounce and the dish the ball out with precision. He’s a much better shooter than Simmons, however, and could fit undeniably well as somebody who could pop out and knock down perimeter shots on occasion, while keeping the floor spaced underneath. This gives the Sixers a pair of players who would traditionally be guarded by defenders at the four who stretch the court and run the offense in a guard-like manner. Those two, alongside Noel down low, would be difficult for the opposing defense to adequately plan for.

Working off of Simmons and Saric, Bayless is a much better fit at the point spot than Rodriguez from an offensive perspective. He’s a better pure shooter from deep when needed, and operates more efficiently as a scoring spark rather than a primary ball handler. He can make a few passes and run the offense when needed to, but would be put in a position to thrive when working off of the Sixers’ younger forwards.

Henderson provides another boost of perimeter scoring to boot, and rounds out the rotation with a capable wing defender who can cover any position needed to fill in any gaps that group may leave. Once again, a young group of core guys up front is balanced by a pair of savvy veterans in the backcourt, providing leadership in multiple aspects of the game and giving them scoring threats who won’t be as intimidated by the increasing pressure as the team looks to improve.

The difference between Saric and Covington in the rotation may seem minimal on paper, but their skill sets contrast in a way that makes the entire lineup function differently around them. Covington will look to score the ball more than Saric, who will give Simmons another playmaker and somebody who can keep the ball moving around the court at an even greater pace.

Next: Lineup No. 3