The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Markelle Fultz last piece to elite team play

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: The Philadelphia 76ers host a post draft press conference announcing new players Anzejs Pasecniks, Markelle Fultz, Jonah Bolden and Mathias Lessort at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CAMDEN, NJ – SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons
CAMDEN, NJ – SEPTEMBER 25: Ben Simmons /

Versatility

Versatility is the ability to adapt to the needs of the game. In basketball, it’s often tossed around as the ability to play dissimilar positions.  For a back court player, it’s the ability to play with the ball (point guard) versus off-ball (shooting guard).  For the Philadelphia 76ers, that was the deal breaker.

The team projected Ben Simmons to the point guard role. But far too many slotted Simmons as a power forward who brought the ball up.  As the season has unfolded, Simmons has played a true “point guard” role for the team.

And that was a huge hiccup in the 2017 NBA Draft plans.

Sixers roster demands versatility

The Philadelphia 76ers roster demands players are capable of playing several positions. That’s not a requirement of incoming rookies, but virtually every player on the team.  Why?  Head coach Brett Brown is not rigid in his lineups. He plays the best five. In order to do that, he must be able to flex roles among players based on the personnel.   If Ben Simmons is on the floor, he runs point guard. But when Simmons comes off the floor, a player capable of running point guard must go in.  That means for every rotation, Brown must send two people in and take two people out when Simmons gets a rest.

But Markelle Fultz gives the team an opportunity to run the offense as the point guard, basically allowing the team to swap just one player (if desired) for Simmons.  And he does so seamlessly.

The combination of Simmons and Fultz on the same basketball court was short lived, but reinforced the “great complimentary basketball” projections. Simmons is the thunder. He brings the ball up the court and sets up, always ready to distribute the ball with lightning speed. Fultz glides on his way to the basket, penetrating for the layup or peeling off for mid-range. He is too fast for defenders to nap. That speed to the basket forces defenders to commit.