Ben Simmons
Position: point guard
Potential role: star
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The 6-foot-10 point guard was named to his first All-Star game in this second season last year. Ben Simmons has shown to be a legit star even without taking jump shots. He averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks, while shooting 56.3 percent from the floor.
His role of being the primary ball handler won’t change. He’s still the most versatile defender on the team and is a force in transition. He’s been working on his jump shot this summer, so hopefully it translates to him using it in the regular season. If he does, then the Sixers should be the clear favorites to make the NBA Finals from the Eastern Conference.
Joel Embiid
Position: center
Potential role: star
It was clear from the playoffs and the end of last season that the Sixers didn’t do a good job managing Joel Embiid’s work load. He was playing at a MVP level, but the career high in minutes per game proved to be too much for the All-Star center and as a result he struggled with health in the playoffs. He averaged 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, while converting 48.4 percent of his field goal attempts this past season.
With both Horford and O’Quinn on the roster, the Sixers will be able to afford to rest Embiid without sacrificing wins. That means less minutes per game and less games played, which is fine as the goal is to win a championship. When Embiid is on the court, he will be the focal point on offense and the team’s defensive anchor.
This Philadelphia 76ers roster has clear roles and less questions surrounding it then last year’s group. This team is deeper and hopefully, this is help the franchise win a championship.