Simmons Draws Lofty ComparisonsWhen it comes to the projections surrounding Ben Simmons and his potential, the top pick from the 2016 NBA Draft has been frequently associated with two players. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is one, and future Hall of Famer LeBron James is the other. Like Johnson and James before him, the 6’10” tall Simmons offers game-changing passing touch for someone his size. On top of that, again similar to Johnson and James, Simmons can score and rebound at effective rates.Simmons has also been mentioned in the same breath as Golden State’s Draymond Green, who not only cranks out points, rebounds, and assists, but also can step out to the perimeter and serve as a dangerous three-point threat. Following Thursday’s draft, Brett Brown acknowledged the parallels between Simmons and the All-Stars Johnson, James, and Green, and understood why they exist.”When…somebody comes in and says we’ve compared him to Magic, or we’ve compared him to LeBron, it’s easier for all of us when we say, you see LeBron bring it up or Draymond, or there are times Earvin Johnson was a 6’9″ point guard,” said Brown. “You pick and you choose. Sometimes you choose words that better clarify how you intend on using him. It’s not a reckless anointment too early.”One of the most valuable facets of Simmons’ game is his ability to generate transition opportunities in the open floor.”I’m able to push the ball up the court, and start breaks a lot quicker than most big guys,” Simmons said last week. That skill could come particularly in handy within the context of Brown’s coaching philosophy. In his three seasons on the sideline, the Sixers have ranked first, seventh, and sixth, respectively, in the NBA in possessions per 48 minutes. Simmons, meanwhile, manufactured an above-average 1.132 points per possession for LSU in transition last season. “[Charles] Barkley did it — he’d rebound and just take off,” Brown said. “You’d lead the break. That’s as good a way as you can get out and go and get out and run, which you know we want to do. And so [Simmons] does that. We want to encourage that, and that will be Draymond-ish.”Brown stated Thursday that his initial intent will be to utilize Simmons as a point-forward, the same positional designation that Simmons gave himself. As Brown sees it, assuming the weighty responsibilities of a primary point guard could be too much for Simmons at such an early stage. Down the road, however, the head coach hasn’t ruled anything out. He cited Milwaukee Bucks swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo as an example. “I think we’ll start him as a four man, and we’ll play him in that capacity,” said Brown of Simmons. “If you look at, say, Antetokounmpo, he came in this gangly, long player, and the second part of [this] year, after the All-Star break, [coach] Jason [Kidd] played him as a point guard.”If there is one dynamic of which Brown is certain, it is that Simmons will give the Sixers’ an array of options.”I just know that he is that versatile that it’s going to be a good problem to figure out,” Brown said.As for Simmons, who does he feel he most closely resembles on the hardwood?”I think that’s up to you guys [media] to put that out there,” said the consensus national freshman of the year. “I believe I’ve got my own style of play. I think I’ll have my own type of game.” Pairing Simmons with a Point GuardAlthough the Sixers won’t be saddling Ben Simmons with the bulk of their point guard responsibilities at the outset of his career, it certainly seems as if they will still be looking for ways to take advantage of his ability to distribute. Consequently, the front office appears to be keeping its eye out for a specific type of floor general who is not of the ball-dominant variety.”[It’s] probably going to be one of the things we talk long and hard about before we go out in trade discussions or free agent situations to really try to put together the best possible balance to the roster,” said Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo. “You’re talking about a 6’10” versatile, skilled player that’s going to affect the game in so many ways it’s hard to measure.”In his freshman campaign with LSU, Simmons paced the Tigers with 158 total assists. He also topped the team with a 27.4 assist percentage, which reflects the quantity of field goals for which a player provides an assist during his time on the court. Embiid Now Playing Five-on-FiveJoel Embiid’s 7’2″ tall frame would be tough to miss just about anywhere, but his presence was particularly noticeable Friday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where Ben Simmons was formally introduced as the third number one selection in Sixers history. The lone Sixers player in attendance, Embiid shares a Montverde Academy connection with Simmons. Embiid spent his freshman season at the high school seven years ago. Simmons was at Montverde from 2012 through 2015.As Simmons was making the rounds through over a dozen media interview stations following Friday’s press conference, he tossed a couple rugby ball passes back and forth with Embiid. Sunday Funday [Alex Subers] A photo posted by Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) on Jun 26, 2016 at 6:08am PDT Lately, Embiid has seemed to be in good spirits. His upbeat and engaged body language, along with the intensification of his on-court activities, have been encouraging signs for the Sixers. “He’s progressing through a plan that has been put in place with doctors, trainers, medical staff,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo said. “He’s being dealt with in the appropriate way, and in a fashion that we feel is right on course with everything that’s been put on paper in front of us, and explained to him.”Colangelo confirmed that last week, Embiid had been cleared to start five-on-five drills. He was previously limited to one-on-one and two-on-two work. “He has participated in some full-court activity recently, controlled full-court activity,” said Colangelo.Although Colangelo reemphasized that Embiid will not suit up for game action in either the Utah Jazz or Samsung Summer Leagues, he said the big man is expected to accompany the team for a portion of its westward trek, which begins later this week. “We anticipate he’ll be with us, getting acclimated around teammates. He’ll probably be in a situation to maybe scrimmage in a controlled environment.”Embiid underwent a second surgery on his right foot last August. According to Colangelo, “The update has been positive thus far, and he’s continuing along that course, that plan that has been put in front of him.”
Sunday Funday [Alex Subers]
A photo posted by Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) on Jun 26, 2016 at 6:08am PDT
