The Sixer Sense
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When Ben Simmons Returns, Get Ready For The Sixer Shuffle

By Bret Stuter

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; From left to right Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8), guard Gerald Henderson (10) and coach Brett Brown watch from the sidelines during a against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Philadelphia in overtime 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; From left to right Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8), guard Gerald Henderson (10) and coach Brett Brown watch from the sidelines during a against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Philadelphia in overtime 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Diamond Facets

Brett Brown has been the target of misdirected fan unrest this year.  His starting line up is comprised of players who had never played together before this season.  In fact, if you ignore Sergio Rodriguez’s previous NBA stint, the team is sending out three players who are in their first NBA season.

How can you expect more than the 76ers have shown so far?

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Minutes restrictions on both semi-healthy centers has forced him to ration playing minutes to Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, and Richaun Holmes (the center who picks up leftover minutes).

He’s also been forced to manage minutes at point guard, as Sergio Rodriguez and T.J. McConnell are the only two healthy bodies at that position.

The other “thin” position is small forward, where Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson have been sharing the load.

Ben Simmons changes all that. He can play at point guard, giving both Rodriguez or McConnell some rest. He can play at small forward, giving either Covington or Thompson needed rest. But even more than that. Simmons gives the team the option to run a Tall Ball option.   He can slide to the power forward or center position and give Brown a small ball option.

But there is much more available to Brown when Simmons returns.