3. Ben Simmons
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 31.0| FG% 48.9| 3P% 100.0| FT% 61.3| TRB 9.4| AST 6.4| BKL 1.6| STL 1.6| PF 2.6| TOV 3.6| PTS 13.2
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
If Ben Simmons had averaged around his career average in points and assists per game during December, there would be no doubt that he’d number two in these rankings. However, he’s not being as aggressive as he use to be in the past on offense in terms of passing and scoring, outside of attempting and making one 3-pointer during the month. With that being said, Simmons is one of two players on this slide who are in the running for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
2. Tobias Harris
December Stats: GP 5| MINS 30.8| FG% 47.2| 3P% 45.8| FT% 90.9| TRB 8.4| AST 2.6| BKL 1.2| STL 1.0| PF 2.0| TOV 1.6| PTS 17.8
Personally, I struggled were to have Tobias Harris in these rankings. He had a slow start to the month, but he finished it strong. On top of that, Simmons’ numbers dropped off offensively so having Harris second just made sense. He showed signs of being a good defender and a very efficient offensive player outside of the first game against the Wizards. If this continues, Harris could have a case of becoming an All-Star this year.
1. Joel Embiid
December Stats: GP 4| MINS 32.5| FG% 52.3| 3P% 38.5| FT% 82.5| TRB 12.3| AST 2.5| BKL 1.5| STL 0.8| PF 2.3| TOV 2.3| PTS 26.5
Despite missing a game, Joel Embiid is clearly the best player on the Sixers. He, like Simmons, is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and has appeared to return to his MVP level play that he showed two seasons ago. He’s even improved an area of weakness for him in terms of passing out of double teams. As long as he’s healthy and stays in shape, there’s no reason to believe Embiid can’t continue this level of production.
That finishes up the first Philadelphia 76ers’ player rankings for the 2020-21 season. Agree with these rankings? Comment below.