The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Training Camp Roster Set

By Bret Stuter

Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) and forward Jerami Grant (39) celebrate a score against the Miami Heat during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Miami Heat won 112-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) and forward Jerami Grant (39) celebrate a score against the Miami Heat during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Miami Heat won 112-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

SMALL FORWARD

Ben Simmons, Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, James Webb III

It’s a forgone conclusion that Ben Simmons will start for the Philadelphia 76ers. But where? As of this moment, he would like fill the small forward role.  But if he plays power forward, simply exchange Dario Saric’s name with Simmons and you’ve corrected the projection.

Simmons is a swiss army knife. He shoots, rebounds, passes, blocks and can steal the ball. He runs the team this year, as he prepares to assume the point role.

This is a position that is ripe for someone to step up.  As of this moment, the reserve battle will be behind bargain Robert Covington and fresh from Team USA Select Jerami Grant.  That’s simply as of now.

Covington brings that two-way potential that head coach Brett Brown loves to tout on this team. Even while he slowed in a slump offensively last season “The Lord” continued to improve defensively. Covington was the second player in scoring offense remaining from last year’s team. However, his production will improve dramatically this year as the team adds scoring threats, and he gets better looks as a result.

But defense is the wheelhouse of Jerami Grant. His is the Nerlens Noel role, only from the three slot.  In fact, he led the team in blocks last year. You can figure on an even better defense from him this season.

The wildcard is James Webb III.  While unlikely to make the roster this season, he will most likely have the opportunity to sign on with the Delaware 87ers and remain on the team’s radar.  As Simmons will eventually assume a point guard role, the team will need to fill the void. Webb’s 5.4 points per game on just 13 minutes may not earn him a spot on this crowded roster.  But it should be enough to keep him on the team’s radar.