The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: What if Ben Simmons didn’t play point guard?

By Uriah Young

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2020 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 - JANUARY 25: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2020 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 76ers, Ben Simmons, Shake Milton (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

The difference between these Hall of Fame players and Simmons is that they had no reservations shooting outside the paint. Simmons should continue to be the master of the fast break, but evidence has shown his current half-court style must improve.

Getting the team into its half-court set with another player other than Simmons would be beneficial to the 76ers. Things would run much smoother and open up more opportunities. Just think of how much more ball movement could take place if Shake Milton brought the ball up the court.

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Simmons could use his 6-foot-10 frame and set back screens for Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris. He could even refine his post game and take advantage of smaller defenders more often. In the process, Milton’s propensity to shoot from the outside would force his defender to step out, creating more space in the paint for Joel Embiid.

There have been countless times where Simmons’ defender sags so far away that you could draw a hopscotch board between them. We all know that Simmons is almost unstoppable in a fast break situation, but why does he have to bring the ball up the court?