The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Core: Ultimate Roster Analysis and Predictions

By Bret Stuter

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

Ben Simmons

Status: First pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, perhaps a true franchise player
Contracted Through:  2020
Current 2016-2017 Salary:  $5,903,160
Trade Value: His potential is such that no trade should be considered at this point.

Strengths:  He is a bio-engineered basketball player.  Tall and strong enough to play front court, self-less, intelligent, court-aware, and handles the basketball well enough to land in the back court.
Offense: He elevates the play of his teammates. His precision passes thread defenses and hit the hands of an open man just as the shot opens up. He has great instincts near the hoop to position himself for rebounds – both offensively and defensively. And he is able to demonstrate an ability to take the ball to the hoop.  He is truly a threat to score a triple double on virtually any night.
Defense: His size and instincts give him an advantage.  He uses his wingspan to slide his hands into the passing lanes or punch a ball free for a steal.  He can also pull down a defensive rebound and start a fast break with a coast to coast pass.

Weaknesses: He is truly a jack of all positions on the basketball court, but as such he will encounter NBA players who are better than he is AT THAT PARTICULAR POSITION.  If he plays at the four, he hasn’t developed a consistent three-pointer. If he plays in the back court, he will need to tighten up his handle on the ball.  His is just a rookie about to play his first NBA game, but his play makes it easy to hold him to the standard of a six year NBA veteran.
Offense: Head coach Brett Brown already confided that Simmons will need to become more aggressive as a shooter.  While that may take some time to perfect, and may expose player and fans to some poor shooting nights, his talent could place him in the mid to upper teens in points per game.  Unfortunately, there will be plenty of low scoring games early in the season before that happens.
Defense: His defense is adequate for a rookie, but will need a great deal of work as he begins to discover his natural role in the NBA. If the team does find the path to move Simmons to a point guard, he will need to improve his ball handling and defensive abilities to stay close to NBA caliber point guards.

Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: a certainty. 100 percent.

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