3. Shake looks the part
This was our first look at Shake Milton in the starting five, and while it was nothing special, he gave fans plenty to mine optimism from. Milton dumped in six points, dished out three assists, and hit one of his two attempts from deep.
Milton held his own on defense and looked comfortable as the Sixers’ primary initiator in the halfcourt offense. He helped set up Embiid and Horford in the screen-and-roll, he effectively probed the Grizzlies’ exploitable defense, and he limited mistakes — only one turnover.
Before the game, some were concerned Milton would limit Simmons’ touches. That’s a non-issue, it seems. Simmons exploded for nine points, seven rebounds, and nine assists in 22 minutes. His hands were all over the game, both as a transition creator, and as someone who attacked from the middle of the floor. Simmons even spaced to the corner and attempted two 3s.
Milton and Simmons should get along just fine, and Milton’s floor-spacing, ball-moving presence already has clear benefits for the starting five. He alleviates a lot of the congestion Horford once made more pronounced.