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

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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) /

Simmons is the start of a new NBA era

Now that you’ve heard the fad argument, let’s clear the air right here, right now. Ben Simmons is not a fad. He is many things to this NBA, but a fad is certainly not one of them. In fact, he is anything but a fad.

A fad is the ingenious rarity of trying to create a mirage effect – placing an athlete into a unique position to gain some short term advantage. Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers roster boasts three players of height who have enough skill to play at the point guard position: Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid. Now, the only true point guard of the bunch is Simmons, but don’t ignore the 76ers using Saric in the role last season with some success.

Tall ball era

The Ben Simmons debut is ushering in the new wave of tall ball to the NBA. If you want to be a purist, the switch already occurred at the Milwaukee Bucks, where they boast the play of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak”. And long before that, the Cleveland Cavaliers brought the immensely talented LeBron James to the team.

But Simmons is the new era. In every other scenario, the team shrouds the talent in a conventional role and allows the player to dominate in multiple roles. The Philadelphia 76ers have pushed Simmons onto the court as the point guard, period. He has done more than hold his own. As a rookie, he is already one of the better defenders on the team. And he’s just getting started.