The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Ben Simmons Can Deliver Ish Smith Boost To Philadelphia 76ers

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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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Drop Anchor

We know that the front court will have Dario Saric and Joel Embiid for years to come.  When Simmons takes the basketball court, it will be a good time to boost minutes for shooting guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.

Now up to 10.8 minutes per game in the month of December 2016, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored an average of 3.8 points per game, shooting 36.4 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three-point range. He also has chipped in 1.8 rebounds, .5 blocks and .33 steals per game.

While Gerald Henderson is clearly the best day-in day-out shooting guard on the team right now, and Nik Stauskas seems to be getting cozier with the coaches, TLC is the future shooting guard of the team, and should be given minutes to ensure his development remains on track.

Simmons and TLC, at this moment’s vantage point, must develop teamwork in the backcourt now. Teamwork which will pay huge dividends for the team down the road.  While Simmons runs the team’s formations, TLC shows promise of being the team’s emotional leader.

He’s fearless.  He’s raw.  He just needs minutes.

Next: Stauskas Says Getting Rid of Social Media Was What Helped

Simmons returns in 2017.  While he will need time to adjust, the Philadelphia 76ers have plenty of margin for improvement at the one position. Is it too much to hope that the team improves when he returns?  Not at all.  In fact, there are plenty of reasons to believe his arrival can show an immediate positive impact.

Recall the impact of point guard Ish Smith on the Philadelphia 76ers last year?  Simmons can do all that, and more.