Which player is the most important to the Sixers’ long-term success?

Philadelphia 76ers fans voted on who they thought the Sixers’ most important player is long term. The results aren’t that surprising.

If there’s a better young core than the Philadelphia 76ers‘, we’ve yet to see it. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz are the best talents from three of the past four drafts, and all project as significant difference makers for a team that’s looking to crack the playoffs next season.

There’s still the question of which one is more important to the group’s impending success. We’ve already seen transcendent potential from Embiid, but only in 31 games over a span of three seasons. Simmons and Fultz, however special they may be, are still unproven. There’s plenty left to be determined.

Whether it’s offensive production or defensive prowess, there’s quite a bit to consider when making any such decision. Sixers fans don’t seem to have much doubt, though.

POLL: Who's the most important player to the #Sixers' long-term success?
— The Sixer Sense (@SixerSense) September 18, 2017

Embiid is the easiest and probably the safest answer. We already know that he can play at a level that rivals the league’s 10 best players, while his two-way impact is something we seldom see. He has the potential to be the best defensive and offensive center in the league at some point in the near future. That’s where the Hakeem Olajuwon comparisons come into play, even if he’s not in that echelon for the foreseeable future.

20.2 points and 2.5 blocks per game in under 26 minutes isn’t easy. That’s All-Star caliber production in sixth man-esque minutes. All of that doesn’t, however, make Embiid an unequivocal selection here. There’s some wiggle room in this debate, and both Simmons and Fultz have a legit argument in their favor.

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I’m not here to say Fultz is the Sixers’ most important player, but letting his name fall out of the discussion is premature. He has the tools needed to be the Sixers’ number one scorer moving forward, shooting at a high clip from deep while boasting poise and control that rarely manifests in 19-year-olds.

He’s the best point guard prospect since Kyrie Irving, and combines that silky arsenal offensively with length and vision that could make him an elite force in a league driven by guard play. Simmons and Embiid are both special talents, but Fultz checks almost every box when it comes to point guard play in the modern NBA.

Simmons’ argument is even more convincing. He’s the most highly-touted number one pick since LeBron James, and brings a mix of physique and skill that translates into a mismatch for almost every defensive unit. He has the size needed to play the five defensively, yet will be tasked with heading the vast majority of Philadelphia’s offensive possessions next season — especially in transition.

He has the end-to-end explosiveness of a guard when running the floor, while his size allows him to see over defenders and exploit angles that only Nikola Jokic could match. The same advantage translates to the pick-and-roll, where his size allows him to rocket passes through tight windows that smaller guards wouldn’t see.

There are still some concerns regarding his shot, but improvements should come over the next couple of seasons. He’s an elite rebounder, high-end finisher and a potentially-transcendent playmaker — he’ll be fine while his shot develops.

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If anything, the fact that Simmons and Fultz will share duties as the Sixers’ primary creators increases their importance long term. Embiid is plenty proficient as a scorer, and his defense is undeniably valuable, but a big man can only carry an offense so far. It’s Simmons and Fultz that are going to elevate Philadelphia’s offense to the next tier of production.

That doesn’t mean we should sell Embiid short, though — and I don’t think many people are. He has the potential to be a 20-and-10 player for the next ten years, all while playing at a historically high level on the defensive end. He and Simmons both have top 10 potential in a league littered with stars, and Fultz’s upside doesn’t lag too far behind.

There’s a lot of optimism thrown around in this piece, but it’s optimism worth having. These are three special players under a coach (and a system) that have flashed brilliance in the past. The culture surrounding this team only adds to the potential a young, hardworking core of this ilk has, and fans are understandably excited for what comes next.

In terms of the correct answer to the poll above, it really doesn’t exist yet. It’s a bit cliche, but the argument for all three is strong — even if Embiid feels like the astronomically better player entering the 2018 campaign.

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Health will still play a major role moving forward, but the potential that comes with a fully healthy version of this Sixers team is irrefutable.