Just How Good Are Philadelphia 76ers 2016 NBA Rookie Class?

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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 /

Top Of The Charts

Any other team, or any other season, would find the top draft pick of the previous NBA draft as the hottest topic. But Simmons injured his foot and delayed his arrival to the basktetball court. Meanwhile two red-shirted rookies stepped up and carried the load for the team so far. While six wins do not seem like boasting foundation, the team has already won consecutive games at home and on the road.

Simmons is the first “wild-card” to the team’s 2016-2017 season. Too optimistic, and nothing he does will seem to be enough. Too pessimistic, and the team will simply plan around his absence.

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But Ben Simmons is more than just another draft pick. His entire scouting report was robust in all basketball skills. Ultimately, his projection sold a player who makes the players around him all the better. As we’ve seen so far, there is some solid talent on this team here and now.

To understand the “Simmons Impact“, we only have summer league data and faith. Oh, one other thing. We have a head coach who has known little Ben all his life. While Brett Brown has worked with a less than stellar roster for some time, his mantra of “Pace, Space, Pass” is finally gaining traction with this group. Simmons simply amplifies everything.

Closure

This Philadelphia 76ers team has lost 18 games so far this season. Of that amount, eight games were winnable. Either the team tied up the score to send it into overtime, or simply watched a late lead fade away.

No player stepped up. No player not named Ben Simmons, that is.

Crunch time is “Simmons Time”. His ability to bang bodies in the paint for the shot runs at a premium in the closing minutes. But that is just one of many ways he will deliver wins.

His ability to snap pass the ball to the post will give Joel Embiid great looks for the game winning shot. But as defenses react to that option, he can flip the ball out to the corner post for the clean three. In fact, as the opposing team tightens up on defense, more of Simmons directed passes will slip through to the open shooter.

Sergio Rodriguez, Jerryd Bayless, and even T.J. McConnell can play point guard in the NBA. Still, none can match the multi-faceted threat of Ben Simmons when the game hangs in the balance.

If Joel Embiid is the engine to this team, Simmons is the drive shaft

Rookie Grade: A (on potential impact)