A preseason right foot injury has No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons sidelined. But when he returns, we should get the full Ben Simmons experience. That’s because Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown said Simmons will play point guard.
That’s right—the 6-foot-10 Simmons will tower over his opposition. The majority of NBA point guards are 6-foot to 6-foot 4.
Expect Simmons to be used much like a young LeBron James in Cleveland. Philly just wants to get Simmons the ball by any means necessary.
Right now, that means having him take it right from the inbounds pass.
“My intention is to give him the ball and let him be the point guard,” said Brown, according to Jessica Camerato of CSN Philly. “That’s the plan. That doesn’t just happen. It takes a little bit of time to introduce him.”
Brown isn’t lying (nor is it the first time he's floated this idea). There’s always a rookie break-in period. Right now, No. 3 overall pick Jaylen Brown is averaging 5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. No. 5 overall pick Kris Dunn—a popular preseason pick for Rookie of the Year—is averaging 3.3 points and 2.5 assists per game.
Then again, we should also consider that the Sixers need a point guard. You know the situation is bad when you’re saying, “if only they had a healthy Jerryd Bayless.” Philadelphia has had to rely on Sergio Rodriguez and TJ McConnell. So, yep—straight to PG, Ben.
Simmons, 20, is perhaps the most highly touted No. 1 pick since LeBron James in 2003. The Australian big man had an up-and-down year at LSU, including some moments of brilliance, before declaring for the draft.
Philadelphia fans are already feeling great about Joel Embiid. If Simmons returns from injury (when that will happen is anybody's guess) and looks strong, the future in Philadelphia seems promising.
