Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons: fad or new NBA era?

By Bret Stuter | Nov 26, 2017

CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons #25, Joel Embiid #21 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for the camera during the 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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PHILADELPHIA,PA – NOVEMBER 22 : Ben Simmons /

Unique player

Ben Simmons doesn’t fit an NBA mold. He’s too big for point guard, he’s too quick and ball savvy for forward. And so, he’s impossible to define, and even more impossible to defend. And that makes him a very very special NBA player. For now, he is a unicorn. A unique combination of skills and physical attributes which defies conventional NBA logic.

#DidYouKnow?: @BenSimmons25 is the only #NBA player averaging at least 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game this season. Wilt Chamberlain was the only #Sixers player to post such averages for a full season. He did so during the 1966-67 and 1967-68 seasons. pic.twitter.com/CxQsIMhShz
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 22, 2017

Is he truly a movement towards some new NBA pattern of play? Or is he simply so unique, so gifted, that it will take NBA coaches time to properly defend his arsenal? Let’s begin by arguing the fad perspective first.