Every day of the week, Chris Mannix of SI will register with his Bubble Bits, a quick success in something remarkable from inside the NBA campus.
LAGO BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Ben Simmons doesn’t like labels. At 6’10 “, 240 pounds, Simmons carries the size of a power forward. Simmons, a talented and dazzling ball handler, possesses the skills of a point guard. He didn’t mind his position in 2017, when the Sixers coach Brett Brown installed Simmons as his starting point guard, and, he insists, he doesn’t care now, with Philadelphia set to resume his season with Simmons at the forefront.
“I really haven’t been looking at the position,” said Simmons. “When I am placed in different situations, I can be successful. These two pasts [scrimmages]I have been fine. I can always do better. There is a lot I need to work on. Overall, I’m getting that flow back and I feel really good. “
As the NBA slowly moves toward his return, few moves on the court become as important as Simmons’ move to the frontcourt. Before the pandemic, the Sixers were reeling. A back injury had sidelined Simmons since late February, threatening to end his season. Philly, pre-season darlings after signing Al Horford on a four-year, $ 109 million contract in the offseason, was in the back half of the Eastern Conference playoff group, rushing toward a first-round exit.
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The pause gave Simmons a chance to heal. The resumed season will see him in a new position. Brown revealed earlier this month that Simmons would come to power forward, freeing up space for Shake Milton, who excelled in Simmons’ absence, to remain in the starting lineup.
The first returns have been promising. Simmons delivered nine assists in Philadelphia’s first exhibition game against Memphis. But that was not the most remarkable statistic. Simmons shot two triples against the Grizzlies, making one. For context, Simmons has tried six all season, connecting in two. Brown says Simmons has been a more willing three-point shooter in practice. Warming up before the Philadelphia scrimmage against Oklahoma City, Simmons spent a considerable amount of time kicking three out of the corners. When the Sixers went to the launch lines, Simmons continued to shoot from the depths.
On the floor, Simmons’ role has not changed. He finished an assist before a triple double against the Thunder. It functioned as the creator of games in transition. He attacked Darius Bazely when Oklahoma City was furious with him and released Chris Paul when they tried to get small. He has been the best player in Philadelphia through two practice games, by a wide margin.
What does that mean? It means, at least, that the Sixers are more dangerous now than in March. Milton has been comfortable playing alongside Simmons. Horford is not enthusiastic about moving to the bench, but Philadelphia planned Horford squad with Joel Embiid in most games. Simmons will not be a sniper from a three-point range, but the greats who even have to go out to defend him will have no chance of staying with him outside of dribbling.
Ben Simmons has a new position. Philadelphia has new life.
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