The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons, from Down Under to On Top of the NBA World

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 8: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Simmons lit and ignites the Sixers

The truly great NBA players do more than play at an elite level. They elevate the play of the entire team. That is the benefit of placing Ben Simmons at point guard. The entire team benefits from his vision and IQ.  And with Simmons out there, the Philadelphia 76ers can leverage their height in a modest slide away from small ball to tall ball. In fact, the Philadelphia 76ers have long aimed at building a roster with all the benefits of a small ball team plus the added benefit of height. The key hinged on finding the right tall ball point guard.

Right fit, he’s lit

Simmons fits the role.  In fact, he anchors a team with height throughout the roster. From 7-foot-2 center Joel Embiid, to 6-foot-10 power forward Dario Saric, to 6-foot-9 small forward Robert Covington, to 6-foot-4 shooting guard J.J. Redick, to 6-foot-10 point guard Ben Simmons, that’s a lot of vertical to face on the basketball court.  With Simmons leading the charge, the team has plenty of power and height. But Simmons, Embiid, and Covington are all great on defense too. With Embiid out, it falls to Simmons to hold the team together.


And that is just what he is doing.