Experiment with Lineups
Brett Brown has been forced into playing some weird lineups in his time as Philadelphia 76ers head coach, and he continues to confound people when he puts Fultz, Redick, and McConnell on the floor at the same time. The Sixers are limited when it comes to solid bench defenders, so the coach will have to be creative when reaching for his reserves.
Furthermore, every player on the Sixers who can consistently create his own shot starts for the team. Landry Shamet is close to being able to do that, but he probably needs another offseason to work on dribble moves to free himself up when he has the ball. So, Brown has to mix and match between starters and bench players.
Leaving one of Fultz or Simmons on the floor at all times gives the team someone with the skill set and ability to get buckets on demand to defer to when necessary. Simmons plays better defense than Fultz, but the Washington product’s athleticism and length will help him out on the perimeter. He still has not fully adjusted to NBA basketball, so he needs a few more weeks to acclimate.
Amir Johnson has not made much of a difference thus far: he has a 105 defensive rating, good for second-best on the team, but he has a -3.6 plus-minus, which is the third-worst on the team. He provides next to nothing offensively: he won’t change the momentum of a game with a thunderous dunk or step out and hit a three, and his average defensive ability and lack of versatility mean the Sixers may have to upgrade.
Brown should look at using Muscala at the five when Wilson Chandler returns from injury. A lineup of him at the five, Chandler at the four, Covington at small forward, Redick at shooting guard, and Markelle Fultz running point could be a decent lineup to run when some of the starters sit.