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, Brett Brown, Ben Simmons (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Doing this means a change in the starting lineup and that could actually help the team in a few ways. With Simmons moving to the forward position in the half-court set, that would allow Brown to switch out Al Horford for Milton.

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This gives the 76ers another perimeter threat in Milton, who can also create his own shot as the shot clock runs down. It gives Horford quality bench minutes to accommodate the need for Embiid to rest.

Whenever the offense slows down and the ball is brought up the court, Milton would be more effective with initializing the offense. In this system, Simmons could contribute in other ways without hurting the team with his jump shot deficiency.

The message is not to put handcuffs on Simmons’ transition game. His vision is tremendous, and his speed is remarkable. This is his strength as he produces fastbreak points that the 76ers truly need.

He just doesn’t need to be bringing the ball up and trying to get the team into a half-court set. Leaving that to a true guard, who is willing to shoot, will keep the defense honest and the paint open.

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What will the Philadelphia 76ers do when the season resumes? Will they keep Simmons at point guard and continue to allow the ball defender to sag? Or, will Brown move Simmons to a point forward in transition situations and allow Milton to step in and run the half-court sets? Unless Simmons starts shooting from the outside, Brown may have no choice.