The Sixer Sense
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Brett Brown has high expectations for Ben Simmons

By Christopher Kline

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 7: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during the 2016 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 7, 2016 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 7: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during the 2016 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 7, 2016 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown had high praise (and expectations) for Ben Simmons at the team’s media luncheon on Wednesday.

A wide range of news and quotes came out of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ media luncheon on Wednesday, but some the more interesting tidbits came from Brett Brown’s thoughts on Ben Simmons. He not only praised the forthcoming rookie as an elite talent, but also confirmed some of the plans he planted the seeds for months ago.

That starts with his position:

Per reports, Brown stressed that the team is committed to running Simmons at the point guard spot, even in static (halfcourt) situations. That likely means Brown will be relying on Simmons’ vision and physical tools to cook up possessions when the game slows down, rather than leaning more heavily on Fultz for a more dynamic pick-and-roll threat.

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Having the confidence to continually say that Simmons is the point guard flat-out is rare for any coach when speaking on a 6-foot-10 rookie. Simmons’ combination of basketball I.Q. and physique doesn’t come around often, and Brown — as well as the Sixers — seem intent on fully maximizing his output on the floor.

Brown went on to praise Simmons’ defensive potential as well, saying that he has a chance to become an “elite” multi-position defender.

This is something I’ve touched on here at TSS as well, as Simmons’ combination of size and mobility puts him in impressive company in a league that stresses versatility to the highest degree. He has the chops needed to defend one through five in some scenarios, while his instincts should allow him to roam and make plays with consistent success. He didn’t always put in the effort that scouts wanted to see during his time at LSU, but virtually every tool imaginable is there for him to use.

Simmons’ confidence has also been showing more and more this offseason, and Brett Brown made note of his desire to prove folks wrong come October:

Simmons has been undervalued in plenty of different circumstances this offseason, from Lonzo Ball being the Rookie of the Year favorite to his NBA 2K rating falling at 79. Some people tend to forget just how highly-touted he was entering last season, and the strides he made this offseason should only increase any such optimism.

He’ll be one of the smartest and most physically dominant under-25 players in the league from day one, with playmaking prowess and overarching potential that could yield All-Star caliber production sooner rather than later. He’s someone who has traditionally been quiet in the past, but it’s not difficult to get the sense that he’s ready to prove some people wrong in the foreseeable future.

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It’s not often that you find coaches who are behind their rookies this early on. Brown is ready to embrace Simmons’ skill set — and that should frighten those who need to face him.