Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons is inventing a new p..."/> Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons is inventing a new p..."/>
The Sixer Sense
Fansided

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

By Bret Stuter

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)
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 76ers
PHILADELPHIA,PA – NOVEMBER 20 : Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers run up court against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What time is it? Tall Ball time

The modern day NBA is ruled by the Golden State Warriors. No disrespect to the Cleveland Cavaliers, nor the Boston Celtics, but the regular season is merely a warmup to the real competition. When that happens, the Warriors simply gear up and dominate. End of story. To beat them, no NBA team can emulate them. So no other small ball team is up to the task. That means the more conventional NBA teams must overcome Golden State.

Cleveland did so. But that merely taught the Warriors, who signed on Kevin Durant.  Now, with a “LeBron-like” player of their own, they have passed that test.   The only way to be the Warriors is to pit them against something brand new in the NBA.  Tall Ball.

Commitment, patience, right players.

Now, the Philadelphia 76ers are not at a level of competing with a playoff minded Warriors team today. But the small ball version introduced by the Warriors did not compete. Stephen Curry arrived in the NBA in 2009-2010. They did not get to the playoffs until the 2012-2013 season, coinciding with Draymond Green‘s arrival. Even after that, the team did not win the championship until 2014-2015. Throughout it all, the team remained committed to what they were doing.

That is the Philadelphia 76ers, albeit on a fast-track. You see, the 76ers have not changed the laws of time and space. Former executive Sam Hinkie merely multitasked better than any other NBA executive. From the moment he had Joel Embiid, he began the process of spacing. Dario Saric, Nik Stauskas, and more all had that “perimeter potential”. Still, there is no way Sam Hinkie could count on selecting Ben Simmons. So what is the true answer?