As several hundred national NBA pundits have discussed along with about 2 million people in Philly, I wanted to weigh in with my thoughts on Ben Simmons. And it appears Klutch Sports may have already made this decision on what to do with Ben but here are my thoughts anyway.
To me there are two primary questions: is Ben Simmons a point guard and should the 76ers trade him. Both of my opinions might surprise you so lets tackle them.
Is Ben a point guard?
In my opinion absolutely not and I am basing my judgment on watching him play the past 5 years. Not exactly a small sample size. To lay the foundation, I am not one of those people that believe point guards only come in one model. Some people think that point guards should be seen and not heard. In other words if they have the audacity to be a scorer they are somehow getting in the way of team goals.
The history of the NBA proves there are many versions that can be effective. The one Ben fits best into is the physically superior body that is able to control the game (Magic, Oscar, Kidd, Luka, Russ). However, other versions have proven over time to also work. The defensive grinder (Frasier, Payton, Jrue (after NBA title he goes by first name), Smart, P-Bev, Lonzo), the diminutive dynamic player with a combination of ball skills, speed, and quickness make them an elite player (Archibold, Isiah, CP3, Trae), and the pure leader version who seems to run the team’s offense with absolute percision (Stockton, Cousy, Mo Cheeks, Rondo). I do admit the last model is harder to find and is now most common in the back-up point guard position in today’s NBA (TJ McConnell, Augustine, Ish Smith, Pritchard (OK maybe too early for that one)).
OK so where does Simmons fit into that those classifications. He is physically imposing yes but that is pretty much the end of the offensive comparison to that group. Cannot shoot 3’s like Kidd and Luka. Heck I would be happy if he shot 3’s like Manute Bol. Good in open court and backs down defenders occasionally but not with Magic’s persistence. Does not play with energy level of Russ or Oscar. Group 1 out.
Group 2 the elite scorer. All of those players score at all 3 levels. Ben scores from 1 level – at the rim. Also at any point during the game you were scared of Isiah or CP3 with the ball in the half court. When is anyone scared of Ben in the half court other than cutting off the ball. Hey there’s a thought. Let’s come back to that one. Group 2 out.
Group 3 leader running the offense with extreme precision. For transition basketball I admit I love seeing Ben getting the ball and on the run. Other than Giannis not sure there is a more dangerous player in the open court. Did I say Giannis? Let’s come back to that one. In the half court I am not sure what I want Ben doing with the ball. On ball screens defenders can just play under and dare him to take a 15 footer and essentially double Embid on the roll. Group 3 out.
Should the Sixers trade him?
After reading the first part of the article I am guessing my answer will surprise you. Absolutely not. Or put another way “Hell no”. Ok let me tell you why other than they will get 40 cents on the dollar since the infamous Doc Rivers press conference comment after the last game.
Ben is one of the top 3-5 athletes in the NBA and guessing he will stay that way for the next 5-7 years. He is a defensive player of the year contender every year. He has the ability not just to guard all 5 positions but actually stop people. I would feel comfortable with him guarding LeBron, Durant, Steph, Joker, Dame, or Luka. Please reread what I just wrote. He might be the first choice of every NBA coach to cover every one of those guys. That is amazing. A player with the ability to stop or at least slow down the other team’s best player is how team’s win championships. Think about this over the years Frazier to Jerry West, Cooper to Bird, Dennis Johnson to Magic, and most recently Jrue Holiday with CP3. We don’t trade people that can do this.
So where do we go from here. Two of the biggest plays in the NBA finals was the Giannis block of Ayton and the Giannis all-oop on the break. There is that name again. Only one other player in the NBA could have made those plays and it is Ben. Isn’t Giannis the game he should be copying. I seem to remember a couple of years ago some people thought Giannis should be more of a point guard. Is Giannis capable of triple doubles in some games depending on the defensive strategy. Absolutely. Do the Bucks want to give him the extra work load of coordinating an offense, getting other players going, managing positions. Absolutely not.
Why can’t the Sixers get a solid point guard with the primary goal of coordinating the half court offense. Ben will still do his thing in transition, becomes a supreme half court cutter, impossible to box out for offensive rebounds, and give him legit outside the paint post-ups. He may still get some triple doubles but his stat lines evolve to be more 20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, while leading the league in steals. If those are the stats for a defensive player of the year candidate I like my chances of winning a title.
The salary commitment to Embid, Harris, and Ben means they need to be creative but I think there are couple of players that would work including Colin Sexton, Dejounte Murray, or Cameron Payne. Or here is a crazy thought. Can you pry John Wall from Houston? All different skills but have potential to work well in the Sixers lineup. Who knows maybe Maxey can be that guy in house.
I know 76ers fans are hoping the commissioner adopts some additional Hack a Shaq prevention rules to keep teams from fouling him. Also, in today’s game where the 3 point shot rules the strategy it does bother me that he runs from the 3 point line with the speed that I chased the Ice Cream truck as a child. Even with those faults I still see the defensive prowess and athleticism that I can’t give up on. Let’s place Ben in a position to succeed before we abandon the process.
Hoops With Holly 