The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers have never seen a back court like this

By Bret Stuter

CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers joke around during a photo shoot together during Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey.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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers joke around during a photo shoot together during Philadelphia 76ers Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey.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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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CAMDEN, NJ – SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons
CAMDEN, NJ – SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons /

Do you lean towards the big guy who passes the ball like it’s on a laser, or to the little guy who shoots like a magician? Either way, fans of the Philadelphia 76ers are in for a sweet treat this season

The Philadelphia 76ers are not about who is at what position. The presence of Ben Simmons in the lineup tosses traditional roles out the window. Ben Simmons is the Philadelphia 76ers point guard, regardless of who he defends.  The offense runs through him.

As head coach Brett Brown stated in a recent interview with Adrian Wojnarowski:

"“When I say point guard, I mean point guard. You know, who takes the ball out of bounds, who receives the ball when the ball goes in the basket, who brings it up the floor after a free throw. … He’s got a quality that he wants the ball and he loves to pass. And so we’re gonna persevere, and see where this plays out.”"

It plays out this season.

Only the young…

And Markelle Fultz likes it. You see, Simmons runs the offense, and that unleashes the offensive moves and grooves of the young Washington Husky. He’s been in the sights of the Philadelphia 76ers for months, as his off-ball and shooting skills are a natural fit to Simmons’ led offense.

But Fultz is young. A very talented, very mature young 19 year old. And that means he will need to develop rather quickly for his age.  But with Simmons feeding him the ball, that should happen without a hitch.

Coach Brown has plenty to work with

Now, all of this has been known beforehand but the head coach is still in awe from it.  After all, it’s one thing to read about the players Brett Brown will coach, but it’s altogether a different story when he is in the gym witnessing their talents mesh on the same plays.

Toss J.J. Redick into the mix, and you’ve got the potential to be one of the top-scoring teams in the NBA.

Never before have two top-picks debuted on the same team

However you place the duo of Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, you can be certain the NBA has not seen anything like this before.  Two top-picks side by side. That’s huge. It’s one for the NBA record books.

Markelle Fultz is incredibly talented. He has a natural rhythm to his pace which is faster than most players in the NBA. That quick pace allows him to drive past defenders, or create havoc with his quick hands.

Ben Simmons is taller, and as such his pace is slightly slower. But he has reflexes which are lightning fast, and uses them to distribute the ball effortlessly in traffic.

Next: How quickly can Philadelphia 76ers develop Furkan Korkmaz?

NBA on notice

Now place the pair on the same court and watch the magic happen.  In fact, Scott Rafferty from The Step Back believes the pair can exploit their talents in ways similar to the Cavaliers LeBron James and Kyrie Irving did.

Those are two of the NBA’s finest, which was not a mistake by Rafferty. The pick and rolls from James and Irving created huge mismatches. That way is wide open for the 76ers pairing of Simmons and Fultz this year.