The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Who will be the Sixers’ second leading scorer?

By Christopher Kline

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks to the media during the Nike Innovation Summit in Los Angeles, California on September 15, 2017. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks to the media during the Nike Innovation Summit in Los Angeles, California on September 15, 2017. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Joel Embiid projects as the Philadelphia 76ers‘ leading scorer, but who follows him as the No. 2 option?

This is an exciting time for Philadelphia 76ers fans. Even with question marks surrounding Joel Embiid’s health, the team is on track to be fully healthy (in some capacity) come opening night. They’ll finally get their entire core on the floor for one game, and that in and of itself will be one of the biggest accomplishments of The Process so far.

Assuming Embiid’s on the court, we’re beginning to get a clear picture of what the Sixers’ offensive structure will be. The Cameroonian will remain the focal point of the offense for the time being, while Ben Simmons will be leaned on heavily as the lead facilitator, both in the halfcourt and in transition. Markelle Fultz will see some run as a playmaker as well, while J.J. Redick and Robert Covington will be stationed as off-ball floor spacers.

What isn’t entirely clear, though, is which name out of that group will be Brett Brown’s second leading scorer. While Embiid and Fultz project as the two who will carry those roles long term, there’s no guarantee that Fultz produces at that level from day one. J.J. Redick is a proven, 11-year veteran whose shooting will be featured heavily in the Sixers offense, while Simmons will have the ball in his hands more than anybody else.

The fans on Twitter were split almost evenly between Fultz and Simmons.

Those results were a bit surprising. Even with the ball in his hands on a consistent basis, Simmons has never projected as much of a go-to scorer. His finishing touch around the basket — as well as the physical tools he can use to get there — make him plenty capable of carrying that load, but whatever limitations he has on his jumper could limit his scoring efficiency next season.

It’s also a matter of assertiveness. We saw Simmons stave off scoring opportunities at times while at LSU, shying away from open jumpers and deferring to inferior talent more often than he should. Those same tendencies showed up early in his Summer League stint back in 2016 as well, but the strides he made last year in Vegas were enough to inspire some optimism. Given the work he has put in this offseason, that improved confidence will ideally be amplified once he’s on an NBA court this October.

More from Sixers News

With that said, Fultz and Redick are more naturally gifted scorers who will be placed into roles that focus on getting them good looks at the basket. Fultz will need to adjust to playing off the ball more, but screens and dribble handoffs will be used liberally in an effort to get him space both as a shooter and when driving the lane. It’s rare that you see a rookie who’s as polished as Fultz is when searching out offense, and immediate productivity is expected from him more so than any other point guard in this year’s class.

When you look back to his time at Washington, it becomes even more difficult to envision Fultz not carrying that load for Brett Brown. 55.8 percent of his 3-point makes came off of assists last year, which shows that he’s capable of producing when stationed off the ball. The length, fluidity and poise that made him such an effective isolation scorer should translate to finding his spots off the ball as well, and the Sixers are likely committed to working Fultz — who they gave up a hefty price for this offseason — into their offense as quickly as possible.

It doesn’t seem like Simmons will defer as much next year as he has in the past, but he’s still most comfortable as a playmaker. His bread and butter comes when orchestrating plays and setting up teammates with passes typical point guard can’t normally make. That’s going to benefit a player like Fultz, who spent much of last season producing with relative efficiency as the primary focal point of every defensive game plan.

Getting the ball in Simmons’ hands and allowing him to make things easier for others is what’s going to rocket Philadelphia into the next tier of competitiveness. Asking him to go out there and carry an extensive scoring load when somebody like Fultz is running the floor alongside him might not equate to the most effective version of Brett Brown’s offense.

Next: Okafor's best-case scenario in Philly

Redick will put up some decent scoring totals as well, as Brown will have multiple plays designed specifically for getting him good looks from deep.