Predicting the impact of a rookie in the NBA is tough work, particularly when that rookie is joining a young team with no clear role defined. But if any rookie can positively impact on his NBA debut, it will be Ben Simmons.
When the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons with the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, it was a monumental event for the franchise. Despite struggling to find success on the basketball court, that failure on wins never seemed to help the cause in the subsequent NBA lottery.
Had the 76ers drafted true to their season finish, the team would have had the twelfth pick in the 2013 Draft, the second pick in the 2014 Draft, the third pick in the 2015 Draft, and the first pick in the 2016 Draft. History shows that the team picked 11th, 3rd, 3rd, and 1st respectively.
Until last season, the Philadelphia 76ers had to place their rookie expectations on “hold”. In 2013, the debut of Nerlens Noel was delayed a season. By 2014, the debuts of both Joel Embiid and Dario Saric were delayed two seasons. Finally, in 2015 center Jahlil Okafor was selected and scored very well for the team, leading the team in scoring at 17.5 points per game, despite fighting double and sometimes triple teams.
But in the 2016-2017 season, conditions have changed. With the addition of three free agent signings, and the debut of four rookies, the Philadelphia 76ers could conceivably have an entirely new starting lineup.
And the new lineup will be led by rookie Ben Simmons.
Next: Familiarity