Will Ben Simmons Become Second Championship Piece?

By Bret Stuter | Jan 11, 2017

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 /

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Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Rising Tide Raises All Boats

If Ben Simmons arrives, he will not simply help out Joel Embiid. He will help out the team. We like Embiid is the combined defense of Jahlil Okafor and the defense of Nerlens Noel, so too is Ben Simmons the combined passing of Sergio Rodriguez, the feistiness of T.J. McConnell, the scoring ability of Jerryd Bayless, and the inbounding of Dario Saric.

And that is all rolled into one player.

And that will improve the team immensely.

Past Practice

Brett Brown has experimented with tall point guards in the past. He had some success with 6-foot-9 point guard JaKarr Sampson in the past. In fact, it was that experience which gives the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers cause to try it again, albeit with the best rookie talent of 2016.