Philadelphia 76ers: The Impact Of Ben Simmons

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Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) shoots against the Orlando Magic during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Rising Tide

A rising tide lifts all boats. That saying explains the performance of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016-2017 season in two ways.

Brown runs a Pace Space Pass offense, and that creates more opportunities for the team to score, and likewise for the opponent to score. When the Sixers are being bested on a bad night, that pace continues to deliver the ball back into the hands of the hot handed opponent. If the other team’s accuracy is better than the 76ers on any given evening, that will exaggerate the scoring differential.

But that same pace quality helps the Philadelphia 76ers if they are shooting more accurately.

With Simmons on the floor, the pace will hasten and the looks will improve.

How much of a difference will that make for this team? Well the last time the Philadelphia 76ers averaged more than 100 points per game was the 1996-1997 season, the same season that the 76ers selected first in the NBA draft. That year the team selected Allen Iverson.

Simmons will bring his own version of a rising tide to the team. A missing ingredient in the past is a point guard who can take it to the hoop. Whatever you want to call Simmons, that is one shot he can make and do rather well at it. In fact, it is the presence of his scoring ability combined with the clarity of mind to pass at the right moment which will greatly enhance the team this season.

Next: Will Anyone Notice?