Point Guard, er, Whatever Ben Simmons
Many continue to argue over the position designation of Ben Simmons, even while the Milwaukee Bucks play Giannis Antetokounmpo in a similar role. However you call it, Simmons will be on the floor, will be the primary ball handler, and will guard whoever guards him.
Now, how does that translate into this team roster, a roster he has yet to join for an NBA game.
In a word. Incredibly.
Since the 2016 NBA Draft, this team has been pruning and grafting NBA talent to the roster to create a team capable of using all of Simmons many talents. And which talents are they? He has incredible passing skills. In fact, he anticipates where the shooter will be for the open shot, and hurls the ball on a laser beam to that location. Ben Simmons can shoot too, His body has incredible stop start turn bursts which play havoc with defenders trying to remain close.
Big Bodies Bounty
As soon as he get separation, he shoots. As soon as attracts a crowd of defenders, he passes.
All we have is summer league, but that showed plenty. In summer league, Richaun Holmes and Christian Wood looked unstoppable. Ben Simmons can do that for the big bodied players. And with this roster, there are plenty of big bodies.
He never played in 2016-2017. This year he starts, and he’s had a year to prepare physically and mentally for this moment. His summer league numbers were decent enough, but he’ll improve on those in the 2017 NBA Season
14.9 points (PPG), 9.6 Rebounds (RPG), 9.8 Assists(APG), 2.8 Blocks (BPG), 1.9 Steals (SPG)
43 percent shooting from the floor, 35 percent three-point, and 80 percent shooting free throws
So there you have it, the starting five of the Philadelphia 76ers.