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But the season is not the end all, merely the base. Solid fundamental basketball to build upon is the goal this season. Simmons is the apex of solid fundamental basketball. He’s lived it for 20 years. Now he gets to apply the concepts into an NBA career.
He’s the key, but he is not the only player looking to elevate their game. Dario Saric journeyed a very long way to the US to become a member of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers. His Olympics performance proves he is NBA ready. So too Joel Embiid’s arrival to the NBA continues to be on track so far.
Brett Brown says @JoelEmbiid is on track to play in the preseason, which begins in just over 6 weeks. #sixers: https://t.co/fYiS7H2T8f
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) August 19, 2016
Players who started last season will find themselves on the bench playing hard for minutes on the court. The same players who fought hard despite being out-manned last season will have the chance to compete at the same level this year, with a full bench. Outcomes will be different.
Simmons brings more than just assists. His presence on the team serves as the vanguard to the new Philadelphia 76ers. He won’t be asked to do it alone, nor in just one year. But he is here now, and the team will improve each year as he grows and matures.
The impact of Ben Simmons will not knock you down, nor will it blow you away. Like the rising of the sun on a chilly morning, the first rays of light will make you feel better, but the chill of last season will linger. It will take several months before you notice the difference.
Next: Comparing the Philadelphia 76ers' Rebuild to the Nets' Rebuild
Last season point guard Ish Smith averaged 32.4 minutes, 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.28 steals and .36 blocks per game. As a rookie, Simmons will likely come in at 30 minutes, 15.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Is that sufficient to win ROY nomination? Perhaps. But it will be a great start to his NBA career.
The goal of the path these 76ers are on is a championship. Ben Simmons impact will place the 76ers much closer to that goal.