In lieu of the Sixers Restart, and the other 21 NBA teams, the Sixers are planning on utilizing All-Star 6’11” Point Guard, Ben Simmons, in a different role with this restart. The Aussie will be moved to the “4” or Power Forward spot, within the offensive lineup, with microwave Shake Milton is being placed within the traditional “1” or Point Guard spot. Thus, placing a more formidable shooter on the perimeter, while letting Simmons work out of the post, as a facilitator/point forward, giving options to kick-out, drive and dump down to a sealed fellow All-Star Joel Embiid. He will also be able to “grab and go” pushing the break to create in his own unique way of driving and kicking to teammates, or throwing it down. This offensive move will take Simmons away from the arc, about 23 feet out, to be placed in the high-low post where he’d be more offensively efficient.

This move isn’t that cavalier, as this is how LeBron James has been used. For the Milton/Simmons experiment, there’s: Boobie Gibson/LeBron, Mario Chalmers/LeBron, Kyrie Irving/LeBron, and Rondo/Lebron. All of those examples, sans the latter, LeBron was in the 4, while the better shooter was at the 1. Now, Simmons is not LeBron, but can develop that long affectionately yearned three point shot, to even be a little bit respectable. For this constructed Sixers team, it can be beneficial, however, this team is not constructed or has the philosophy to go as deep as they had when Kawhi’s ultimate dramatic shot sent them packing. For the Sixers to be wholly formidable force within this league/division their construction and philosphy needs to change.

One of the biggest clichés within the realm of the Sixers is that Simmons and Embiid cannot play together, and one of them needs to be traded. That is completely false, and that narrative is hindered by a faulty philosphy and team construction. The best way to utilize Ben Simmons’ abilities in match with Joel Embiid’s, is this formula: Simmons (1), 3 and D (2 and 3), Stretch 4 (who also plays D), Embiid (5). With Simmons at the 1, he can create mismatches on the offensive and defensive ends. Establishing a 4 out 1 in offense can help create spacing on the offensive end for motion and flow. On offense, you can run the pick and roll (PnR) with Simmons with Embiid or the 4 man for either a roll or pop- especially with Embiid’s soft touch, and the Stretch 4 being able to hit the three at a respectable rate (hopefully 33-40%). Or, if they switch the screen Simmons can dump the ball down, or swing to around to work the post, while also being able to exploit a mismatch. The other options are to run the PnR to kick out to an open shooter when the defense helps and collapses in the paint, and a kick to the wing/point to replace inside the post to exploit the mismatch of having a 6’11” playmaker.

Having 3 and D players playing the Shooting Guard and Small Forward (2 and 3) positions, places shooters on the peremiter for kick outs, dives, back door cuts, and excellent players to get back in transition after a miss or turnover to prevent a counter. A protypical 3 and D player would be 6’5”-6’8”, should be shooting at a 35-42% clip from behind the arc, to be put fear inside the kick-out and over helping; which can also create more options of scoring within the paint while players are staying at home with their player. Being able to take a player off the dribble and create would be not only a plus, but create a more efficiently dynamic offense. On the defensive end, these players would also be able to switch in any wing screening situation, for their defense is formidbable and can create trunovers through, traps, helps and athleticism; call it wreaking havoc on the court. The Sixers already have a player who fits that mold, in Josh Richardson (13.8 PPG, 42%FG, 32% 3FG; career 36.8%) and are developing another in Matisse Thybulle (4.7 PPG, 35% 3FG).

Deploying a protypical 6’7”-6’10” Stretch 4 who shoots at 33-40% from the three, who can switch on any defender, excel at rebounding, and help defense works wonders for a dynamic offense. They’re formidable shooters who can pop on PnR’s, and be ready for kickouts. Also, they can be enforceful in the post on switches, dump downs, and rolls; while also providing offensive rebounding and athletisicm in both sides of transition. Being able to play defense is key for these players, for they’ll be needed for the help on weakside and PnR situations for potential switches. The Sixers are utilizing Tobias Harris sort of in that position, but he lacks the defensive prowess, but was getting better at rebounds (2018: 6 RPG (LAC): 2019: 7.9 (PHI/LAC), 2020: 6.0). The Sixers have added Al Horford play that position and spell Embiid at the 5, but he has been overwhelmingly disappointing of effectiveness due to fit despite having realitvely same numbers as last season with Boston: 13.6PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, 53% FG, 36% 3FG (Boston); 12 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 4.1 APG, 44% FG, 33% 3FG (Philly, on a 4-year $109m contract, at 33).

The Sixers had the chance with this type of formation in 2017-2018 with Ben Simmons, JJ Redick, Robert Covington (1st Team All-Defense), Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid. Saric was coming into his own, despite bieng a bit inconsistent (14 PPG, 6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 45% FG, 39% 3FG). RoCo was 1st Team All-Defense playing the 3 and D role/Stretch 4. The team was given a lot of production off the bench with Ersan Illyasova (10.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 36% 3FG) in the stretch 4 position, Marco Belinelli (38.5% 3FG) was sharp at the three when spellign the sharp shooter JJ Redick (17.1 PPG, 42% 3FG). There was potential after winning 52 games, and being ousted by the Celtics led by Jayson Tatum who was drafted AFTER Sixers No.1 pick Markelle Fultz who gave zero production for the Sixers due to unforeseen circumstances, hence making that draft trade a total fleece. And that was blown up to go all in to rent Jimmy Butler, and at the time, Tobias Harris to “win now” the next year. The Sixers won 51 games, lost in the Eastern Conference Semis in Game 7 to the Raptors’ mercenary Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi’s rental worked because he’s not only a former Finals MVP (now 2) but: 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 3x All NBA, 5x All-Defense, and the team essentially kept its core by giving up DeMar DeRozan, unlike the Sixers who gave up everyone but Redick, Simmons, and Embiid-for the rentals of Butler and Harris. Eventually, Jimmy Butler walked to Miami (but we received Josh Richardson in return, so kind of plus), the Sixers “Bird Righted” Tobias Harris giving him 5yr, $180m contract, and signed aforementioned Al Horford to that enormous 4-year $109m, and now sitting at 39 wins totally underwhelming continually headed in a downward trend (as of 8/1/2020).

This is going to get blown up again, or Brett Brown is unfortunately (say what you want) possibly on his way out. If so, the duo of Simmons and Embiid will work, with the right players around them as lenghtly detailed earlier. The “ideal” lineup, which would be effective to utilize these iconic players would be: Ben Simmons, Malcolm Brogdon (16 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.1 APG; Indiana, via trade), Josh Richardson, Aaron Gordon/Robert Covington (via trade), Joel Embiid. This means possibly cutting ties with Tobias Harris, and definetly cutting ties with Horford and his albatross contract for the ROI is low. Some notable target Free Agents: Danilo Gallinari, Davis Bertans, Christian Wood (big fan), Jerami Grant, Bogdan Bognaovic (SAC), Josh Jackson (RFA), Jordan Clarkson (RFA). Until then, we must settle for mediocrity until the window opens to sign and trade, in hopes the moves will be made to bring the sixers back to prominence.

Stats from Basketball Reference

Free Agency information CBS Sports