The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown Knows Tall PGs Can Work In NBA

By Bret Stuter

Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard JaKarr Sampson (9) attempts to shoot past Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard JaKarr Sampson (9) attempts to shoot past Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) yells from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Los Angeles won the game 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) yells from the court during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. Los Angeles won the game 70-69. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Simmons Equals Sampson On Steroids

Now fast foward to the present.  Ben Simmons is the next generation Jakarr Sampson. He too is aiming at the point guard position.  He too is tall, standing 6-foot-10.  He possesses a 7-foot-0 wingspan.

I am not asserting that Ben Simmons will be an All-NBA-Pro from the moment he steps foot onto the court.  But he will carry himself in a way that the Philadelphia 76ers dared never to hope from Jakarr Sampson.  He is already at the NBA player level.

Confidence? Just Experience

And so, that confidence from head coach Brett Brown is not as much faith as it is based on experience. He coached Jakarr Sampson into an NBA point guard in a matter of hours out of necessity. He has had over a year of Ben Simmons to effect that transition.

And he already had that Jakarr Sampson experience to use as a model.

For some, the entire concept of Ben Simmons at a position not dependent upon his 6-foot-10 height will scoff at the notion.  For others, the focus will be on some unproven attribute.  Defending top NBA point guards. Running the fast-paced offense in traffic.

There will certainly be a learning curve.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft Lottery: Should the Philadelphia 76ers Trade Back?

But Ben Simmons is still the top prospect of the 2016 NBA Draft class.  And he’s had a year to watch, train, and be coached by the best of the NBA.  So if you are bummed by no Markell Fultz to the Philadelphia 76ers, take heart.  We have the 2016 first round draft pick heading for point guard. And he’s had a full year to prepare for the demands of the NBA.