The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Brett Brown Needs Ben Simmons Return

By Bret Stuter

Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) reacts with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Nik Stauskas (11) after hitting the game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) reacts with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Nik Stauskas (11) after hitting the game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Nerlens Noel (M) and forward Ben Simmons (R) during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Nerlens Noel (M) and forward Ben Simmons (R) during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Simmons Embiid Dimension

Ben Simmons is slotted to point guard. But the reality is that Ben Simmons can play any position of a basketball team. Versatility is one of the most treasured skills in a basketball player today, and particularly by head coach Brett Brown.

Embiid is equally versatile. While he will seldom be pulled away from defending the basket, he has no fear defending any player on the opposing team.

But as you examine the Philadelphia 76ers roster, limited role players are exiting, while the team appears to be more and more comprised of two-way, multi-positional players. Players like Robert Covington, Nik Stauskas, Dario Saric, Ersan Ilyasova, Richaun Holmes, and even Nerlens Noel have the versatility to slide in at multiple positions to fit the game, or the game situation.