Section 215
Fansided

Sixers: Ben Simmons to start career surrounded by high-powered weapons

By George Kondoleon

TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 07: Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during the 2016 NBA Rookie Photoshoot at Madison Square Garden Training Center on August 7, 2016 in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 07: Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during the 2016 NBA Rookie Photoshoot at Madison Square Garden Training Center on August 7, 2016 in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Ben Simmons should get off to a blazing start for the Sixers, and the pick-and-roll game will be the cause of it.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the Sixers when Ben Simmons fractured his foot in training camp a little less than a year ago. Simmons and Joel Embiid were set to rejuvenate Philadelphia and vindicate the rebuilding process last season, but alas both seasons ended prematurely.

Both are entering the 2017-2018 season, with even higher expectations than last season. Reason is, they’ll be playing along the top prospect in the 2017 draft class in the form of Markelle Fultz. On paper, these three high-potential players will find no better realistic complement’s to each other’s style of play. This bodes well for the 7-foot point forward, as his limitations shooting the ball will be relieved in the PnR game with both Embiid and Fultz.

Simmons’ unique size and speed already makes him difficult to defend in the pick-and-roll. The first thought is that defenders can give him a bit of space and play off of him along the perimeter, but Joel Embiid’s massive size on screens will be enough to give Simmons an inch of room. This will allow for open opportunities near the basket for Embiid.

As the season progressed, Embiid seemed more decisive in the two-man game on whether to peel out or head towards the basket. He was doing so with inferior playmakers compared to Simmons, yet he still found great success.

Simmons should have multitudes of passing options in his debut season. With Embiid creating gravity down low, the kick out option of Markelle Fultz along the perimeter make for an nearly unstoppable offense if executed correctly. Fultz also has the ability to be an effective initiator in the pick-and-roll, allowing Simmons to use his cutting ability and innate finishing for easy lay-in opportunities.

More from Philadelphia 76ers

That goes for him as both the screener and as the third option in the play. Simmons will benefit from the Fultz acquisition more than anyone else on this roster because of it. The main three cornerstones of this team will get the attention in how they play next to each other, but Dario Saric will have an impact on Simmons as well.

While I don’t envision the two spending extended periods of time on the court together, Simmons may see some time as a small-ball center. Saric isn’t a major threat on the outside, but has found success in the corner. He is a proven scorer, however, taking on the scoring load when Joel Embiid went down after 31 games. He’s also very active off the ball, allowing for Simmons to find efficient opportunities.

Ben Simmons is coming into this season with a gold-mine of complementary talent around him. Because of this, his star prowess will elevate in just his first year. Whether the team succeeds as a whole this year, Simmons will find success. And it’ll be because of the optionality he’ll have in the pick and roll game.

Next: Sixers: Beyond the arc

No jumpshot, no problem. We can say that now, anyways. Adding an elite talent like Fultz will take off the need for scoring for Simmons and Embiid. Simmons could be walking into the season in a better situation than any top prospect has in recent memory. He’ll thrive early because of it.