Another Day, Another Lineup
Ultimately, Brown wants the team to play solid defense and outscore their opponents. With the young and inconsistent play of the lineups so far this season, Simmons will likely find himself moved around in the lineup. Brown will continue to investigate with player combo results as the best five players on the court at the same time.
While moving players around and in and out of starting roles won’t help earn the playoffs this season, the team should be seeking long-term answers.
With the team likely to be selecting four times in the 2017 NBA draft, combining different lineups truly helps to focus the team’s selections.
It’s clear so far in this young season that the team is vastly different with Joel Embiid in the lineup than without. There is reason to expect the team to act the same way with Simmons.
So two players who clearly can anchor the franchise for the foreseeable future can give the answer to the team about the other three players. It will be up to Brown to discover who takes the court, and who comes off the bench, going forward.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Atlanta Hawks: Post Game Grades
While there is a great deal of restlessness in the Philadelphia 76ers fanbase right now to see more immediate results, the fans will need to remain patient for just a little longer. Simmons return marks the start to something special in Philadelphia. It will be up to Brown to ensure something special happens. Fans must give Brown the time, and the support, to see that it happens.