Lineup No. 3
- PG Sergio Rodriguez
- SG Gerald Henderson
- SF Ben Simmons
- PF Joel Embiid
- C Jahlil Okafor
While it could, in theory, get bigger that this, lineup number 3 is the first semblance of the oft-called for big ball that many Sixer fans have been anticipating. The Sixers struggled to fit two traditional fives into the rotation with Okafor and Noel last season, but Embiid provides a different contrast at the four that could suit a pairing with Okafor well, while Simmons’ playmaking instills an entirely new dynamic to the concept.
Okafor’s scoring aptness on the low block has been well documented, both during his tenure at Duke and throughout his somewhat flawed rookie campaign with the Sixers. He’s reminiscent of a young Tim Duncan with some of the moves he makes when operating with his back to the basket, and has the offensive talent alone to be effective in placed into a system that suits him.
His defensive weakness is what truly hampers his fit, and that’s why Noel is included in the first two lineups rather than him. However, with Embiid being a solid rim protector in his own right, while spacing the floor a bit more than Noel did last year, there’s reason to believe he could make a two-center pairing much more harmonious if Brett Brown desired.
Simmons would still run the offense from the three, with a secondary facilitator in Rodriguez to rely on when necessary. His ability to get into the paint and score at the rim may be more limited in this setting, but Embiid has the ability to clear some space with a midrange jumper that has only improved during his injury rehab.
Embiid was likely to be the first pick in 2014 had he not been injured, and he stills brings that type of upside to the table, which is was incentive to consider starting him. He was somewhat of a raw prospect at Kansas, but has excellent size and footwork in the paint to go along with a versatile offensive game that most centers can’t quite match. How well his foot holds up with be a huge concern, but he’s someone who — if healthy — could be the best player on the team alongside Simmons and provide a talent on both sides of the basketball that neither Noel nor Okafor can match.
The Sixers put a lot of length on the court with this lineup, and would likely be looking to overpower them rather than out-finesse them like a Simmons-Saric pairing. They’d be able to get the ball into the paint at will, while still providing some reliable shooting outside in the form of Rodriguez and Henderson. It’s just a matter of executing it effectively.
Next: Lineup No. 4